Durango-La Plata County to Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field DRO → BFF
343 nautical miles (394 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 033°, about 023° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 75-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:50 am MDT (11:50 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DRO is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots; BFF is low IFR, 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: 1 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 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 245 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 294 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 255 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 157 nm along the route.
- 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 last 0 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 DRO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 11 nm west, 1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. 245 nm along the route, 11 nm west 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
- BE20 at 9,000 ft, 0 nm northeast, 1:52 am MDT (07:52 UTC): light to moderate rime icing, -5 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. At the departure end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0752/FL090/TP BE20/SK BASE110 TOP165/TA M05/IC LGT-MOD RIME/RM DURD. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 07:52 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- BASE110 TOP165
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate rime
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
- GLF6 at 47,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 1:47 am MDT (07:47 UTC): remarks: moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc. 88 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU105046/TM 0747/FL470/TP GLF6/RM MOD MTW +/-1500FPM. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 46 nm east (105°) of HBU
- Time
- 07:47 UTC
- Height
- at 47,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Remarks
- moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 40 nm southeast, 1:42 am MDT (07:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-7KT zdvwc. 127 nm along the route, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB280055/TM 0742/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-7KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 55 nm west (280°) of PUB
- Time
- 07:42 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw +/-7KT zdvwc
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 2:14 am MDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 157 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast 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
- B737 descending, 32 nm southeast, 2:10 am MDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. 215 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast 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, 32 nm southeast, 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. 215 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast 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
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 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 4 forecast points nearest it (FMN, ALS, DEN, BFF). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 260° at 23 kt | −15 kt | 10 °C | 135 kt | 2 h 32 min | 6:36 am MDT (12:36 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 260° at 24 kt | −18 kt | 9 °C | 138 kt | 2 h 29 min | 6:33 am MDT (12:33 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | −24 kt | 5 °C | 144 kt | 2 h 23 min | 6:27 am MDT (12:27 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −30 kt | 1 °C | 150 kt | 2 h 17 min | 6:21 am MDT (12:21 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | −38 kt | -4 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 10 min | 6:14 am MDT (12:14 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 46 kt | −45 kt | -8 °C | 165 kt | 2 h 05 min | 6:09 am MDT (12:09 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 48 kt | −47 kt | -9 °C | 167 kt | 2 h 03 min | 6:07 am MDT (12:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 55 kt | −52 kt | -20 °C | 172 kt | 2 h | 6:04 am MDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 73 kt | −71 kt | -29 °C | 191 kt | 1 h 48 min | 5:52 am MDT (11:52 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 81 kt | −75 kt | -35 °C | 195 kt | 1 h 46 min | 5:50 am MDT (11:50 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 74 kt | −68 kt | -47 °C | 188 kt | 1 h 49 min | 5:53 am MDT (11:53 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
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMN | used from 0 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 49 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| DEN | used from 147 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| BFF | used from 294 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 280/28 | 260/39 11° | 240/34 5° | 210/38 -11° | 210/52 -22° | 230/61 -31° | 230/61 -36° | 240/56 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRO Durango, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 6,689 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 29 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet | variable at 1 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 7,663 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 127 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,950 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| LXV Leadville, CO | 137 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 9,933 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 206 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 235 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 274 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 15 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| IBM Kimball, NE | 304 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,925 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 3,967 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,933 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BFF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:50 am MDT (11:50 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 300 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for BFF
- From Mon 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
The forecast for DRO, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm MDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 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 DRO 6:37 pm MDT (00:37 UTC), at BFF 6:16 pm MDT (00:16 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm MDT (00:44 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BFF is before sunrise there (7:03 am MDT (13:03 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: Durango-La Plata County, Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field.