Bozeman Yellowstone International to Detroit Metro Wayne County BZN → DTW
1,213 nautical miles (1,396 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 090°, about 077° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 31 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 66-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:47 am EDT (07:47 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BZN is low IFR, wind calm; DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 3 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 38 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 438 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 328 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 139 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 60 to 99 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 617 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 30 nm of the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from BZN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 12 forecast points nearest it (BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, FSD, AXN, MSP, LSE, GRB, MKG, CLE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 230° at 11 kt | −6 kt | 126 kt | 9 h 38 min | 6:54 am EDT (10:54 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 5 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 10 h 01 min | 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 8 kt | −5 kt | 12 °C | 125 kt | 9 h 42 min | 6:58 am EDT (10:58 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 13 kt | −9 kt | 7 °C | 129 kt | 9 h 24 min | 6:40 am EDT (10:40 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 17 kt | −12 kt | 4 °C | 132 kt | 9 h 11 min | 6:27 am EDT (10:27 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | −16 kt | 0 °C | 136 kt | 8 h 55 min | 6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | −20 kt | -4 °C | 140 kt | 8 h 40 min | 5:56 am EDT (09:56 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 27 kt | −25 kt | -9 °C | 145 kt | 8 h 22 min | 5:38 am EDT (09:38 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 28 kt | −26 kt | -10 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 18 min | 5:34 am EDT (09:34 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 260° at 34 kt | −33 kt | -21 °C | 153 kt | 7 h 56 min | 5:12 am EDT (09:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 35 kt | −36 kt | -36 °C | 156 kt | 7 h 47 min | 5:03 am EDT (09:03 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 45 kt | −45 kt | -45 °C | 165 kt | 7 h 21 min | 4:37 am EDT (08:37 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 65 kt | −66 kt | -51 °C | 186 kt | 6 h 31 min | 3:47 am EDT (07:47 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIL | used from 0 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 080/24 | 130/14 -1° | 180/33 0° | 210/43 -10° | 220/58 -21° | 200/55 -36° | 220/75 -44° | 240/83 -48° | |
| MLS | used from 149 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 120/22 5° | 170/18 4° | 200/33 1° | 230/49 -10° | 230/58 -21° | 220/54 -37° | 230/64 -44° | 250/74 -49° | |
| DIK | used from 298 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 110/15 6° | 200/17 5° | 230/31 1° | 240/47 -10° | 240/52 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 240/57 -45° | 250/67 -51° | |
| PIR | used from 398 nm out; 66 nm from the line | L/V 17° | 230/13 12° | 220/22 6° | 250/31 -9° | 250/34 -21° | 240/50 -35° | 230/61 -43° | 240/62 -51° | |
| ABR | used from 497 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 030/24 | 220/5 16° | 230/18 12° | 230/32 5° | 240/38 -10° | 250/37 -20° | 240/40 -35° | 240/56 -44° | 250/72 -52° |
| FSD | used from 597 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 200/16 | 220/20 17° | 240/26 13° | 230/19 6° | 240/25 -9° | 240/28 -20° | 250/39 -33° | 250/44 -43° | 260/63 -52° |
| AXN | used from 646 nm out; 74 nm from the line | L/V | 220/23 17° | 230/24 12° | 240/25 5° | 260/32 -11° | 260/40 -21° | 270/50 -35° | 270/57 -45° | 270/81 -55° |
| MSP | used from 696 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 200/28 | 240/30 19° | 240/24 12° | 240/17 5° | 270/24 -10° | 270/33 -20° | 280/48 -35° | 290/55 -45° | 280/84 -54° |
| LSE | used from 796 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 220/33 | 250/29 17° | 250/15 9° | 260/12 6° | 280/21 -9° | 280/33 -20° | 300/43 -36° | 310/56 -45° | 300/79 -53° |
| GRB | used from 945 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 240/24 | 260/18 16° | 270/20 11° | 290/14 4° | 280/24 -9° | 300/34 -21° | 310/51 -38° | 310/54 -48° | 300/71 -51° |
| MKG | used from 994 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 250/5 | 320/10 15° | 310/19 9° | 320/21 3° | 310/23 -10° | 330/37 -22° | 330/51 -38° | 320/44 -47° | 300/60 -49° |
| CLE | used from 1193 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BZN Bozeman, MT | departure | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light snow, mist | calm | 1.25 mi | 300 ft | 4,473 ft | 7:06 pm MDT (01:06 UTC) |
| BIL Billings, MT | 109 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 3,662 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| MBG Mobridge, SD | 447 nm out, 18 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 1,716 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| ATY Watertown, SD | 597 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north (010°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,749 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RWF Redwood Falls, MN | 686 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,023 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RST Rochester, MN | 796 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 8 mi | none | 1,317 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| CMY Sparta, WI | 875 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 839 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| MWC Milwaukee, WI | 1004 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 744 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| ARB Ann Arbor, MI | 1193 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 839 ft | 00:53 UTC | |
| DTW Detroit, MI | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 1,200 ft | 645 ft | 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,473 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DTW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:47 am EDT (07:47 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DTW
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
The forecast for BZN, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility ½ mile, snow, fog, overcast at 300 feet
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light snow, mist, scattered clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility 2 miles, light snow, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light snow, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm MDT (23:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at BZN 6:44 pm MDT (00:44 UTC), at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DTW is before sunrise there (7:42 am EDT (11:42 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Bozeman Yellowstone International, Detroit Metro Wayne County.