Hector International to Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field FAR → ASE
638 nautical miles (734 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 227°, about 223° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 10-knot headwind), arriving about 2:13 am MDT (08:13 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now FAR is low IFR, wind from the north (010°) at 15 knots; ASE 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 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
- SIGMET 8W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 468 to 478 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO MT WY FROM 40N SHR-60WNW RAP-20ENE CYS-30SW CYS-10NW BOY-40N SHR AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- 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 first 80 nm of 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 route from 199 to 299 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 299 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 209 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 last 100 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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 FAR.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 11 nm southeast, 6:28 pm CDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 528 nm along the route, 11 nm southeast 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
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 30 nm northwest, 7:47 pm CDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 538 nm along the route, 30 nm northwest 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
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 27 nm southeast, 8:30 pm CDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 558 nm along the route, 27 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 35 nm southeast, 9:05 pm CDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 578 nm along the route, 35 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of FQF
- Time
- 02:05 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 25 nm northwest, 6:58 pm CDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 578 nm along the route, 25 nm northwest 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
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 41 nm northwest, 8:31 pm CDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 608 nm along the route, 41 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 6:48 pm CDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the destination end, 9 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- E75L at 900 ft, 0 nm southwest, 8:57 pm CDT (01:57 UTC): no icing, overcast above 1,200 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 0157/FL009/TP E75L/SK OVC012/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over KFAR
- Time
- 01:57 UTC
- Height
- at 900 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft
- Icing
- none
- A320 descending, 0 nm southwest, 8:01 pm CDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 1,200 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 36. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 0101/FLUNKN/TP A320/SK OVC012-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over KFAR
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 36
- B39M at 35,000 ft, 19 nm southeast, 6:28 pm CDT (23:28 UTC): light chop turbulence. 120 nm along the route, 19 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABR UA /OV ABR230015/TM 2328/FL350/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABR
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (230°) of ABR
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B763 at 32,000 ft, 7 nm south, 8:29 pm CDT (01:29 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 259 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RAP UA /OV RAP084081/TM 0129/FL320/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RAP
- Where
- 81 nm east (084°) of RAP
- Time
- 01:29 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- C56X at 13,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 8:33 pm CDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 508 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAR UA /OV LAR/TM 0133/FL130/TP C56X/SK BASE160/TB OCNL CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAR
- Where
- over LAR
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- BASE160
- Turbulence
- occasional continuous light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 528 nm along the route, 37 nm southeast 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
- B738 at 32,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 8:42 pm CDT (01:42 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 30,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 598 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG160014/TM 0142/FL320/TP B738/TB LGT-MOD BLO 300/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 14 nm south (160°) of RLG
- Time
- 01:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light to moderate below 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
4 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 (GFK, ABR, PIR, RAP, BFF, DEN). 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 | 170° at 17 kt | +10 kt | 17 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 48 min | 2:13 am MDT (08:13 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 190° at 18 kt | +15 kt | 15 °C | 105 kt | 6 h 05 min | 2:30 am MDT (08:30 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | +21 kt | 13 °C | 99 kt | 6 h 27 min | 2:52 am MDT (08:52 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 9 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 52 min | 3:17 am MDT (09:17 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +31 kt | 5 °C | 89 kt | 7 h 10 min | 3:35 am MDT (09:35 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +32 kt | -1 °C | 88 kt | 7 h 15 min | 3:40 am MDT (09:40 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +32 kt | -5 °C | 88 kt | 7 h 15 min | 3:40 am MDT (09:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 33 kt | +33 kt | -9 °C | 87 kt | 7 h 20 min | 3:45 am MDT (09:45 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 38 kt | +38 kt | -21 °C | 82 kt | 7 h 47 min | 4:12 am MDT (10:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 39 kt | +38 kt | -34 °C | 82 kt | 7 h 47 min | 4:12 am MDT (10:12 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 47 kt | +42 kt | -39 °C | 78 kt | 8 h 11 min | 4:36 am MDT (10:36 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 52 kt | +46 kt | -47 °C | 74 kt | 8 h 37 min | 5:02 am MDT (11:02 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GFK | used from 0 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 070/18 | 100/10 9° | 250/11 6° | 250/27 1° | 250/34 -10° | 260/43 -21° | 260/39 -36° | 260/36 -46° | 260/59 -53° |
| ABR | used from 50 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| PIR | used from 149 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 299 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| BFF | used from 349 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| DEN | used from 498 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAR Fargo, ND | departure | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 15 knots | 3 mi | 400 ft | 901 ft | 8:53 pm CDT (01:53 UTC) |
| GWR Gwinner, ND | 50 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | reported, no category | from the north-northeast (020°) at 16 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,265 ft | 02:15 UTC |
| ABR Aberdeen, SD | 110 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 15 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 1,301 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| PIR Pierre, SD | 209 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 1,744 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| PHP Philip, SD | 269 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 5 mi | 1,500 ft | 2,209 ft | 02:02 UTC |
| IEN Pine Ridge, SD | 339 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | no report just now | 3,332 ft | ||||
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | 419 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the east (090°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 488 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 528 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 618 nm out, 18 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the west (260°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| ASE Aspen, CO | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 7,837 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 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 ASE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:13 am MDT (08:13 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 13,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ASE
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 24, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 13,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
The forecast for FAR, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 14 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): light rain showers
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 FAR 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC), at ASE 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ASE is before sunrise there (7:14 am MDT (13:14 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: Hector International, Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field.