Fairbanks International to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal FAI → COS
2,161 nautical miles (2,487 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 115°, about 100° magnetic at the departure end (variation 15E). At 120 knots that is 14 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 31-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:22 am MDT (15:22 UTC). Right now FAI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots; COS is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25. 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1434 to 1853 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 727 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 14,000 ft. Over the route from 1444 to 1474 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1444 to 2032 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 478 nm of the route.
- 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 route from 1713 to 2002 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 1932 nm along 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 FAI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 9 nm northeast, 4:47 pm AKDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 2032 nm along the route, 9 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 52 nm north (010°) of RLG
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- cosn moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 3:58 pm AKDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 2042 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 73 nm east (069°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 30 nm northeast, 3:28 pm AKDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 2062 nm along the route, 30 nm northeast 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
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 12 nm northeast, 2:44 pm AKDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the destination end, 12 nm northeast 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
- C208 at 9,000 ft, 15 nm northwest, 4:35 pm AKDT (00:35 UTC): no icing above 9,000 ft, haze, snow, remarks: fai atct akfss. At the departure end, 15 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAI UA /OV PAFA315015 /TM 0035 /FL090 /TP C208 /WX HZ SN /IC NEG 090 /RM FAI ATCT AKFSS
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAI
- Where
- 15 nm northwest (315°) of PAFA
- Time
- 00:35 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C208
- Weather
- haze, snow
- Icing
- no at 9,000 ft
- Remarks
- fai atct akfss
- B738 at 24,000 ft, 41 nm southwest, 3:13 pm AKDT (23:13 UTC): remarks: snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc. 1634 nm along the route, 41 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN270030/TM 2313/FL240/TP B738/RM SN TOP FL 240 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BZN
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc
- B737 descending, 23 nm southwest, 4:28 pm AKDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. 1653 nm along the route, 23 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0028/FLDURD/TP B737/SK SCT080/WX 1/2SM SN FG/RM BROKE OUT ABOUT 100FT ABOVE MINS
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 8,000 ft
- Weather
- 1/2SM, snow, fog
- Remarks
- broke out about 100FT above mins
- CRJ2 at 9,000 ft, 40 nm northeast, 4:35 pm AKDT (00:35 UTC): light chop turbulence, vmc, remarks: occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft. 1912 nm along the route, 40 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV CPR215015/TM 0035/FL090/TP CRJ2/WX VMC/TB LGT CHOP/RM OCNL MOD TURB AT 150
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (215°) of CPR
- Time
- 00:35 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Weather
- visual conditions
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft
- CRJ2 at 29,000 ft, 35 nm northeast, 2:37 pm AKDT (22:37 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-34. 1982 nm along the route, 35 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CYS UA /OV CYS286065/TM 2237/FL290/TP CRJ2/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-34
- Report
- a routine report filed through CYS
- Where
- 65 nm west (286°) of CYS
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-34
- PC12 , 32 nm southwest, 2:33 pm AKDT (22:33 UTC): remarks: ZDVWC-14. 2002 nm along the route, 32 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE030020/TM 2233/FLFL28/TP PC12/SK TOP280/RM ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- 20 nm northeast (030°) of CHE
- Time
- 22:33 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- TOP280
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-14
- B738 at 38,000 ft, 29 nm west, 2:39 pm AKDT (22:39 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: light mountain wave a 8-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. At the destination end, 29 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL047040/TM 2239/FL380/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP/RM LGT MTN WAVE +/-8KTS ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (047°) of DBL
- Time
- 22:39 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- light mountain wave a 8-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 3:45 pm AKDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 43 nm northeast 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
- A321 descending, 32 nm northeast, 4:26 pm AKDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 32 nm northeast 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
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 32 nm northeast, 3:27 pm AKDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the destination end, 32 nm northeast 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
6 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 5 forecast points nearest it (FAI, ORT, YAK, JNU, ANN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 200° at 10 kt | +4 kt | 116 kt | 18 h 38 min | 1:41 pm MDT (19:41 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 230° at 14 kt | −2 kt | -3 °C | 122 kt | 17 h 43 min | 12:46 pm MDT (18:46 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | −7 kt | 0 °C | 127 kt | 17 h 01 min | 12:04 pm MDT (18:04 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 260° at 23 kt | −13 kt | -3 °C | 133 kt | 16 h 15 min | 11:18 am MDT (17:18 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 260° at 25 kt | −16 kt | -5 °C | 136 kt | 15 h 53 min | 10:56 am MDT (16:56 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 260° at 28 kt | −17 kt | -9 °C | 137 kt | 15 h 46 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 260° at 32 kt | −16 kt | -13 °C | 136 kt | 15 h 53 min | 10:56 am MDT (16:56 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 35 kt | −16 kt | -17 °C | 136 kt | 15 h 53 min | 10:56 am MDT (16:56 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 36 kt | −16 kt | -18 °C | 136 kt | 15 h 53 min | 10:56 am MDT (16:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 260° at 42 kt | −22 kt | -29 °C | 142 kt | 15 h 13 min | 10:16 am MDT (16:16 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 48 kt | −20 kt | -43 °C | 140 kt | 15 h 26 min | 10:29 am MDT (16:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 45 kt | −28 kt | -50 °C | 148 kt | 14 h 36 min | 9:39 am MDT (15:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 47 kt | −31 kt | -55 °C | 151 kt | 14 h 19 min | 9:22 am MDT (15:22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAI | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 230/13 | 240/10 -6° | 260/11 -11° | 250/10 -17° | 230/11 -29° | 160/11 -43° | 200/13 -54° | 220/25 -50° | 230/35 -47° |
| ORT | used from 100 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 250/24 -3° | 240/29 -10° | 240/31 -17° | 230/34 -31° | 220/31 -41° | 230/49 -47° | 230/52 -46° | 230/47 -45° | |
| YAK | used from 349 nm out; 170 nm from the line | 190/26 | 230/18 -2° | 210/22 -8° | 220/33 -13° | 230/58 -25° | 230/85 -34° | 230/101 -46° | 240/97 -49° | 240/84 -48° |
| JNU | used from 398 nm out; 169 nm from the line | 150/18 | 210/22 -3° | 240/32 -4° | 240/39 -10° | 250/59 -18° | 240/76 -28° | 240/83 -43° | 250/89 -52° | 250/74 -53° |
| ANN | used from 697 nm out; 232 nm from the line | 210/8 | 240/13 3° | 270/21 1° | 280/26 -3° | 260/33 -15° | 270/42 -26° | 260/43 -41° | 280/38 -51° | 280/45 -58° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAI Fairbanks, AK | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 439 ft | 4:53 pm AKDT (00:53 UTC) |
| 6K8 Tok, AK | 159 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,642 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| CYZW Teslin, | 498 nm out, 16 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,300 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 30 mi | 5,300 ft | 2,313 ft | 00:00 UTC |
| CZPC Pincher Creek, | 1404 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,700 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light snow | from the east (080°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 1,700 ft | 3,903 ft | 00:57 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 1653 nm out, 23 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light snow, mist | calm | 0.75 mi | 200 ft | 4,473 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| HSG Thermopolis, WY | 1823 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 4,891 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 2092 nm out, 16 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 17,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 6:54 pm MDT (00:54 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 COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:22 am MDT (15:22 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for COS
- 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
The forecast for FAI, the departure
- From Sun 4:00 pm AKDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm AKDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am AKDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am AKDT (14:00 UTC) and 10:00 am AKDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 700 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 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 22 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at FAI 6:39 pm AKDT (02:39 UTC), at COS 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 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: Fairbanks International, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.