City Of Colorado Springs Municipal to Rapid City Regional COS → RAP
323 nautical miles (372 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 013°, about 005° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 38-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:29 pm MDT (02:29 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now COS is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots; RAP is marginal VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 8 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: 9 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 TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 88 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 COS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 18 nm west, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. 49 nm along the route, 18 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 21:49 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 14 nm west, 4:02 pm MDT (22:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41. At the departure end, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK262015/TM 2202/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB MOD CHOP/RM DURC FROM KDEN 120-190 ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm west (262°) of BRK
- Time
- 22:02 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 8 nm northwest, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 20 nm along the route, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 31 nm east, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 88 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 43 nm west, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 88 nm along the route, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 20 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 98 nm along the route, 20 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 11 nm west, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. 59 nm along the route, 11 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
- B737 descending, 11 nm west, 4:29 pm MDT (22:29 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 59 nm along the route, 11 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- CRJ2 at 6,500 ft, 11 nm west, 3:31 pm MDT (21:31 UTC): light chop turbulence. 59 nm along the route, 11 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2131/FL065/TP CRJ2/TB LGT CHOP ON FINAL RWY16L
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 21:31 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- light chop on final runway 16L
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 18 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 69 nm along the route, 18 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B737 at 15,000 ft, 9 nm southeast, 3:37 pm MDT (21:37 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb zdvwc. 69 nm along the route, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080020/TM 2137/FL150/TP B737/TB CONS LGT OCNL CHOP 150-180/RM DURC ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 20 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 21:37 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional chop from 15,000 ft to 18,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb zdvwc
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 18 nm west, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 88 nm along the route, 18 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 20 nm east, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. 98 nm along the route, 20 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
- B763 at 36,000 ft, 6 nm southeast, 4:48 pm MDT (22:48 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 176 nm along the route, 6 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BFF UA /OV BFF200020/TM 2248/FL360/TP B763/SK TOP 320-340/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through BFF
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of BFF
- Time
- 22:48 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- top from 32,000 ft to 34,000 ft
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
1 more routine reports are on the map.
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 3 forecast points nearest it (DEN, BFF, RAP). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 120° at 20 kt | −6 kt | 12 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 34 min | 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 170° at 24 kt | −23 kt | 15 °C | 143 kt | 2 h 16 min | 8:42 pm MDT (02:42 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 190° at 28 kt | −28 kt | 12 °C | 148 kt | 2 h 11 min | 8:37 pm MDT (02:37 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | −27 kt | 8 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 12 min | 8:38 pm MDT (02:38 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −27 kt | 3 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 12 min | 8:38 pm MDT (02:38 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −26 kt | -2 °C | 146 kt | 2 h 13 min | 8:39 pm MDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −26 kt | -7 °C | 146 kt | 2 h 13 min | 8:39 pm MDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 35 kt | −26 kt | -8 °C | 146 kt | 2 h 13 min | 8:39 pm MDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 43 kt | −32 kt | -21 °C | 152 kt | 2 h 08 min | 8:34 pm MDT (02:34 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 53 kt | −38 kt | -34 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 03 min | 8:29 pm MDT (02:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 59 kt | −34 kt | -39 °C | 154 kt | 2 h 06 min | 8:32 pm MDT (02:32 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 56 kt | −30 kt | -46 °C | 150 kt | 2 h 09 min | 8:35 pm MDT (02:35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| BFF | used from 147 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| RAP | used from 245 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 24,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 5:54 pm MDT (23:54 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 39 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 22 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CFO Denver, CO | 59 nm out, 6 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,515 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| GXY Greeley, CO | 98 nm out, 19 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 4,696 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| IBM Kimball, NE | 147 nm out, 14 nm east of the line | VFR | from the east (100°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,925 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | 186 nm out, 9 nm east of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CDR Chadron, NE | 255 nm out, 16 nm east of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,297 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HSR Hot Springs, SD | 284 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 3,150 ft | ||||
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 3,203 ft | 6:03 pm MDT (00:03 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:29 pm MDT (02:29 UTC)
Wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
The forecast for COS, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 13 nm from the route, at the departure end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at COS 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is after sunset there (6:15 pm MDT (00:15 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: City Of Colorado Springs Municipal, Rapid City Regional.