Dallas-Fort Worth International to Rapid City Regional DFW → RAP
726 nautical miles (836 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 339°, about 335° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 07 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 22-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:55 pm MDT (04:55 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DFW is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 18 knots, gusting to 23; RAP is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) 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: 1,973 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 last 20 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 DFW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PA46 at 21,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC): remarks: smooth ZFW32. At the departure end, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MWL UA /OV MQP/TM 2105/FL210/TP PA46/RM SMOOTH ZFW32
- Report
- a routine report filed through MWL
- Where
- over MQP
- Time
- 21:05 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Remarks
- smooth ZFW32
- A320 at 34,000 ft, 10 nm southwest, 4:20 pm CDT (21:20 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZFW49. 159 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CSM UA /OV BFV080040/TM 2120/FL340/TP A320/TB NEG/RM ZFW49
- Report
- a routine report filed through CSM
- Where
- 40 nm east (080°) of BFV
- Time
- 21:20 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZFW49
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 20 nm northeast, 4:58 pm CDT (21:58 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 517 nm along the route, 20 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LBF UA /OV LBF/TM 2158/FL320/TP A321/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LBF
- Where
- over LBF
- Time
- 21:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (DAL, SPS, OKC, GAG, GCK, GLD, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 180° at 24 kt | −22 kt | 18 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 07 min | 10:55 pm MDT (04:55 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 190° at 24 kt | −21 kt | 16 °C | 141 kt | 5 h 09 min | 10:57 pm MDT (04:57 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | −16 kt | 14 °C | 136 kt | 5 h 20 min | 11:08 pm MDT (05:08 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −11 kt | 11 °C | 131 kt | 5 h 33 min | 11:21 pm MDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −6 kt | 7 °C | 126 kt | 5 h 46 min | 11:34 pm MDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −5 kt | 2 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 48 min | 11:36 pm MDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 28 kt | −5 kt | -3 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 48 min | 11:36 pm MDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 29 kt | −4 kt | -7 °C | 124 kt | 5 h 51 min | 11:39 pm MDT (05:39 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 34 kt | −5 kt | -18 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 48 min | 11:36 pm MDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 47 kt | −3 kt | -31 °C | 123 kt | 5 h 54 min | 11:42 pm MDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 51 kt | +3 kt | -39 °C | 117 kt | 6 h 12 min | 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 49 kt | +10 kt | -49 °C | 110 kt | 6 h 36 min | 12:24 am MDT (06:24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | used from 0 nm out; 32 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° |
| SPS | used from 50 nm out; 46 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° |
| OKC | used from 99 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/29 16° | 230/22 14° | 240/17 9° | 240/28 -6° | 250/35 -15° | 270/42 -29° | 270/43 -39° | 280/38 -51° |
| GAG | used from 199 nm out; 52 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° | |
| GCK | used from 298 nm out; 58 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° | |
| GLD | used from 398 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/30 15° | 240/23 8° | 250/39 -7° | 230/39 -19° | 230/57 -31° | 240/67 -39° | 250/62 -49° | |
| BFF | used from 547 nm out; 89 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 647 nm out; 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFW Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 18 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 606 ft | 5:53 pm CDT (22:53 UTC) |
| DTO Denton, TX | 20 nm out, 1 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 642 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| CHK Chickasha, OK | 139 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 20 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 1,151 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| JWG Watonga, OK | 189 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,551 ft | ||||
| AVK Alva, OK | 249 nm out, 11 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,476 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DDC Dodge City, KS | 328 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 22 knots, gusting to 34 | 8 mi | none | 2,595 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| HLC Hill City, KS | 408 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| OIN Oberlin, KS | 448 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,706 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| OGA Ogallala, NE | 547 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the east-northeast (070°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,279 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| GRN Gordon, NE | 647 nm out, 6 nm east of the line | VFR | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,562 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| IEN Pine Ridge, SD | 657 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | no report just now | 3,332 ft | ||||
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,900 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 3,203 ft | 5:05 pm MDT (23:05 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,562 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, 10:55 pm MDT (04:55 UTC)
Wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet 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, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 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 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 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 DFW, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 9/2934 DALLAS, TX 11 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · ZFW
- 6/8646 Arlington, TX, Thursday, October 15, 2026 through Friday, October 16, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Thursday 15 October · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at DFW 6:58 pm CDT (23:58 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: Dallas-Fort Worth International, Rapid City Regional.