Denver International to Waco Regional DEN → ACT
613 nautical miles (706 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 142°, about 134° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 22-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:05 am CDT (05:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23; ACT is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 11 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: 7 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 first 59 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 40 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 16 nm southwest, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. At the departure end, 16 nm southwest 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
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 42 nm northwest 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, 46 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast 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
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 48 nm northeast, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. At the departure end, 48 nm northeast 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
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 26 nm southwest, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 30 nm along the route, 26 nm southwest 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
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 45 nm southwest, 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. 40 nm along the route, 45 nm southwest 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
- A321 descending, 3 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 22 nm north, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 22 nm north 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
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 3 nm south, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south 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, 3 nm south, 4:29 pm MDT (22:29 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south 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
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast 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
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 16 nm southwest, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. At the departure end, 16 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 23 nm northeast 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 25,000 ft, 47 nm southwest, 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 40 nm along the route, 47 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
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 7 forecast points nearest it (DEN, PUB, GCK, AMA, GAG, SPS, DAL). 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 | 190° at 29 kt | +19 kt | 20 °C | 101 kt | 6 h 04 min | 1:50 am CDT (06:50 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | +11 kt | 16 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 37 min | 1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +5 kt | 13 °C | 115 kt | 5 h 20 min | 1:06 am CDT (06:06 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +4 kt | 9 °C | 116 kt | 5 h 17 min | 1:03 am CDT (06:03 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +2 kt | 5 °C | 118 kt | 5 h 12 min | 12:58 am CDT (05:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +1 kt | 0 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 09 min | 12:55 am CDT (05:55 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 29 kt | −1 kt | -5 °C | 121 kt | 5 h 04 min | 12:50 am CDT (05:50 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 29 kt | −1 kt | -6 °C | 121 kt | 5 h 04 min | 12:50 am CDT (05:50 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 33 kt | −2 kt | -17 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 01 min | 12:47 am CDT (05:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 49 kt | −12 kt | -29 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 39 min | 12:25 am CDT (05:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 51 kt | −18 kt | -38 °C | 138 kt | 4 h 27 min | 12:13 am CDT (05:13 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 46 kt | −22 kt | -50 °C | 142 kt | 4 h 19 min | 12:05 am CDT (05:05 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; 25 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° | ||
| PUB | used from 49 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 148 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° | |
| AMA | used from 247 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 190/28 | 220/26 14° | 230/27 7° | 250/24 -6° | 250/32 -16° | 240/51 -28° | 250/52 -38° | 250/51 -50° | |
| GAG | used from 297 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 190/34 19° | 240/27 14° | 240/26 8° | 240/24 -6° | 240/29 -16° | 250/50 -28° | 250/50 -39° | 260/46 -50° | |
| SPS | used from 396 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 180/26 | 200/25 16° | 220/19 13° | 220/20 9° | 230/26 -5° | 230/34 -15° | 260/37 -28° | 270/42 -39° | 280/40 -51° |
| DAL | used from 544 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 180/21 | 190/24 15° | 230/20 12° | 220/23 8° | 240/22 -5° | 230/18 -15° | 280/33 -29° | 280/36 -39° | 300/33 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
| LIC Limon, CO | 59 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| LHX La Junta, CO | 119 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,228 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 139 nm out, 8 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| EHA Elkhart, KS | 218 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,621 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| PYX Perryton, TX | 277 nm out, 22 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 2,918 ft | ||||
| PPA Pampa, TX | 307 nm out, 16 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,245 ft | 00:30 UTC |
| AXS Altus, OK | 406 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,433 ft | 00:32 UTC |
| ONY Olney, TX | 485 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | no report just now | 1,275 ft | ||||
| MWL Mineral Wells, TX | 534 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 973 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| GDJ Granbury, TX | 554 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 835 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| ACT Waco, TX | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 6:51 pm CDT (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ACT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:05 am CDT (05:05 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ACT
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,700 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,700 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 17,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at ACT 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ACT is before sunrise there (7:29 am CDT (12:29 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: Denver International, Waco Regional.
