The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 3:03 am MDT (09:03 UTC)

Denver International to Santa Barbara Municipal DEN → SBA

795 nautical miles (914 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 251°, about 243° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 07 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 22-knot headwind), arriving about 10:10 am PDT (17:10 UTC). Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 13 knots; SBA is VFR, wind calm. 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: 2,132 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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

  • SIGMET W17W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 3:55 am MDT (09:55 UTC). Over the route from 407 to 477 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120755
    MKCW WST 120755
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17W
    VALID UNTIL 0955Z
    AZ UT NV
    FROM 20WNW BVL-30N BCE-60SSW BCE-50NNE LAS-60NNW ELY-20WNW BVL
    AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the first 238 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the first 407 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 179 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 79 to 477 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 119 to 487 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 189 to 695 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 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

  • B737 at 18,000 ft, 47 nm northwest, 1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. At the departure end, 47 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
    Time
    07:24 UTC
    Height
    at 18,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    moderate
    Remarks
    FL180-130
  • B737 descending, 3 nm south, 2:10 am MDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    over DEN
    Time
    08:10 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    light chop
  • B737 descending, 3 nm south, 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0710/FLDURD/TP B737/RM SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    over DEN
    Time
    07:10 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    B737
    Remarks
    smooth
  • B738 descending, 3 nm south, 12:15 am MDT (06:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0615/FLDURD/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    over DEN
    Time
    06:15 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    B738
    Turbulence
    light chop
  • B38M at 22,000 ft, 30 nm south, 2:14 am MDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 50 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
    Time
    08:14 UTC
    Height
    at 22,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B38M
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    zdvwc
  • A20N at 25,000 ft, 5 nm northeast, 12:19 am MDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. 50 nm along the route, 5 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN250045/TM 0619/FL250/TP A20N/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 260/RM DURC. ZDVWC-06
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    45 nm west (250°) of DEN
    Time
    06:19 UTC
    Height
    at 25,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A20N
    Turbulence
    occasional light chop below 26,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the climb ZDVWC-06
  • CRJ2 at 22,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 12:35 am MDT (06:35 UTC): no turbulence up to 26,000 ft, no icing, clear from 22,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent ZDVWC-26. 60 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN220060/TM 0635/FL220/TP CRJ2/SK SKC/TB NEG BLO 260/IC NEG/RM DURD/ ZDVWC-26
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    60 nm southwest (220°) of DEN
    Time
    06:35 UTC
    Height
    at 22,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ2
    Sky
    clear
    Turbulence
    no below 26,000 ft
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent ZDVWC-26
  • B738 at 23,000 ft, 16 nm southeast, 12:23 am MDT (06:23 UTC): no turbulence from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft, clear from 23,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06. 60 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN230060/TM 0623/FL230/TP B738/SK SKC/TB NEG 230-260/RM DURD SSKII STAR. ZDVWC-06
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    60 nm southwest (230°) of DEN
    Time
    06:23 UTC
    Height
    at 23,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B738
    Sky
    clear
    Turbulence
    no from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06
  • E170 at 4,800 ft, 22 nm northwest, 12:31 am MDT (06:31 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 4,800 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc. 179 nm along the route, 22 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GJT UA /OV GJT/TM 0631/FL048/TP E170/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURD RNAV Y 11 LGJT. ZDVWC
    Report
    a routine report filed through GJT
    Where
    over GJT
    Time
    06:31 UTC
    Height
    at 4,800 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Sky
    clear
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc
  • PC12 at 12,000 ft, 24 nm north, 1:08 am MDT (07:08 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, 4 °C, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-11. 218 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GJT UA /OV JNC237019/TM 0708/FL120/TP PC12/TA 04/TB OCNL LGT/IC NEG/RM IMC. ZDVWC-11
    Report
    a routine report filed through GJT
    Where
    19 nm southwest (237°) of JNC
    Time
    07:08 UTC
    Height
    at 12,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Temperature
    4 °C
    Turbulence
    occasional light
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    instrument conditions ZDVWC-11
  • A321 at 31,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 12:15 am MDT (06:15 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: mountain wave zlc. 288 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CNY UA /OV HVE340015/TM 0615/FL310/TP A321/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CHOP /RM MTN WAVE /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through CNY
    Where
    15 nm north (340°) of HVE
    Time
    06:15 UTC
    Height
    at 31,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    occasional light to moderate chop
    Remarks
    mountain wave zlc

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed

The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 6 forecast points nearest it (DEN, GJT, BCE, LAS, WJF, SBA). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
8,500 ft220° at 24 kt+22 kt5 °C98 kt8 h 07 min10:10 am PDT (17:10 UTC)
10,500 ft220° at 27 kt+24 kt1 °C96 kt8 h 17 min10:20 am PDT (17:20 UTC)
12,500 ft220° at 30 kt+26 kt-2 °C94 kt8 h 27 min10:30 am PDT (17:30 UTC)
14,500 ft220° at 36 kt+31 kt-6 °C89 kt8 h 56 min10:59 am PDT (17:59 UTC)
16,500 ft220° at 42 kt+37 kt-10 °C83 kt9 h 35 min11:38 am PDT (18:38 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180220° at 47 kt+40 kt-13 °C80 kt9 h 56 min11:59 am PDT (18:59 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240220° at 57 kt+52 kt-22 °C68 kt11 h 41 min1:44 pm PDT (20:44 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300220° at 67 kt+62 kt-30 °C58 kt13 h 42 min3:45 pm PDT (22:45 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340230° at 69 kt+65 kt-37 °C55 kt14 h 27 min4:30 pm PDT (23:30 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390230° at 65 kt+61 kt-45 °C59 kt13 h 28 min3:31 pm PDT (22:31 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
DENused from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line270/24 11°230/13 5°230/48 -8°230/46 -20°230/63 -30°240/78 -36°240/78 -48°
GJTused from 99 nm out; 62 nm from the line220/26 6°230/39 0°220/55 -13°230/60 -23°230/78 -31°230/80 -35°230/74 -44°
BCEused from 298 nm out; 51 nm from the line200/32 -2°210/57 -15°220/71 -22°220/69 -30°220/64 -38°220/67 -44°
LASused from 447 nm out; 75 nm from the line210/20 8°210/29 4°200/32 -3°200/51 -15°210/64 -21°220/70 -30°220/66 -38°220/55 -44°
WJFused from 646 nm out; 49 nm from the line210/26 4°210/28 2°230/23 -4°240/28 -13°220/47 -23°220/57 -30°220/65 -37°220/59 -45°
SBAused from 745 nm out; 25 nm from the lineL/V220/9 2°240/16 1°240/19 -3°260/25 -13°260/27 -24°230/37 -31°220/54 -37°220/52 -45°

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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
DEN Denver, CO departure VFR from the south (180°) at 13 knots 10+ mi none 5,433 ft 2:53 am MDT (08:53 UTC)
BJC Denver, CO 20 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 5,673 ft 08:55 UTC
ASE Aspen, CO 109 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet calm 10+ mi 9,000 ft 7,837 ft 08:53 UTC
GJT Grand Junction, CO 179 nm out, 22 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet from the east-southeast (110°) at 19 knots 10+ mi 8,500 ft 4,861 ft 08:53 UTC
HVE Hanksville, UT 288 nm out, 22 nm northwest of the line VFR Sky: overcast at 7,000 feet from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots 10+ mi 7,000 ft 4,453 ft 08:30 UTC
BCE Bryce Canyon, UT 377 nm out, 11 nm north of the line IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,900 feet Weather: mist from the southeast (130°) at 8 knots 1.25 mi 2,600 ft 7,589 ft 08:53 UTC
SGU St George, UT 447 nm out, 2 nm west of the line VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 12,000 feet from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots 10+ mi 9,000 ft 2,883 ft 08:56 UTC
VGT Las Vegas, NV 546 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet from the southeast (130°) at 11 knots 10+ mi none 2,205 ft 08:53 UTC
MHV Mojave, CA 705 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR from the west-southwest (250°) at 18 knots, gusting to 23 10+ mi none 2,801 ft 06:55 UTC
SZP Santa Paula, CA 765 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line no report just now 250 ft
SBA Santa Barbara, CA destination VFR Sky: overcast at 6,500 feet calm 10+ mi 6,500 ft 13 ft 1:53 am PDT (08:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,837 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SBA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:10 am PDT (17:10 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 4,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SBA
  • From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 4,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
  • From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 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, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
  • From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 6/8911 DENVER, CO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZDV
  • 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 526 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
  • 6/8808 Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 16 nm from the route, 546 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC), at SBA 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:52 pm PDT (01:52 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

Radar now, the southern Rockies
Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the Pacific Southwest
Radar now, the Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Santa Barbara Municipal.