Grand Junction Regional to Abilene Regional GJT → ABI
589 nautical miles (678 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 130°, about 121° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 09 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 22-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now GJT is VFR, wind variable at 4 knots; ABI is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 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 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 160 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 110 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 310 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 130 to 270 nm out.
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 GJT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 9:28 pm MDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. At the departure end, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIL
- Where
- over RIL
- Time
- 03:28 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Temperature
- −3 °C
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-11
- B733 at 20,000 ft, 15 nm northeast, 9:16 pm MDT (03:16 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 20,000 ft, clear from 20,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-12. 80 nm along the route, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU/TM 0316/FL200/TP B733/SK SKC/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 200/RM DURC ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over HBU
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B733
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 20,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-12
- BE20 at 20,400 ft, 43 nm southwest, 9:14 pm MDT (03:14 UTC): rain, heavy rain, blowing, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-36. 110 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO050025/TM 0314/FL204/TP BE20/WX RA-+RA BLO 150/RM DURC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- 25 nm northeast (050°) of DRO
- Time
- 03:14 UTC
- Height
- at 20,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Weather
- ra-+ra, below, at 15,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-36
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 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 (GJT, ALS, TCC, LBB, ABI). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 37 kt | +12 kt | 18 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 27 min | 6:40 am CDT (11:40 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 34 kt | +7 kt | 13 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 13 min | 6:26 am CDT (11:26 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +1 kt | 12 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 57 min | 6:10 am CDT (11:10 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −4 kt | 6 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 45 min | 5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | −4 kt | 2 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 45 min | 5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −2 kt | -2 °C | 122 kt | 4 h 50 min | 6:03 am CDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −1 kt | -6 °C | 121 kt | 4 h 52 min | 6:05 am CDT (11:05 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | 0 | -7 °C | 120 kt | 4 h 54 min | 6:07 am CDT (11:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 48 kt | −7 kt | -19 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 38 min | 5:51 am CDT (10:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 62 kt | −18 kt | -27 °C | 138 kt | 4 h 16 min | 5:29 am CDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 58 kt | −22 kt | -35 °C | 142 kt | 4 h 09 min | 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 48 kt | −19 kt | -47 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 14 min | 5:27 am CDT (10:27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| ALS | used from 100 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| TCC | used from 250 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| LBB | used from 400 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 200/36 18° | 220/19 15° | 240/20 8° | 230/24 -4° | 240/37 -16° | 250/57 -28° | 250/51 -38° | 270/47 -50° | |
| ABI | used from 499 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 200/31 17° | 210/21 15° | 240/15 9° | 250/14 -4° | 250/24 -14° | 250/36 -28° | 270/35 -38° | 290/41 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 11:53 pm MDT (05:53 UTC) |
| AJZ Delta, CO | 30 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line | reported, no category | calm | none | 5,193 ft | 05:55 UTC | |
| GUC Gunnison, CO | 80 nm out, 22 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,679 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 130 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,955 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| AXX Angel Fire, NM | 220 nm out, 20 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,300 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 3,300 ft | 8,379 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| RTN Raton, NM | 240 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,352 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| TCC Tucumcari, NM | 330 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,064 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| HRX Hereford, TX | 390 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 3,787 ft | 05:50 UTC |
| LBB Lubbock, TX | 459 nm out, 23 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,282 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| ABI Abilene, TX | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,790 ft | 12:52 am CDT (05:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,379 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ABI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC)
Wind from the south at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ABI
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- At times between Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots
- From Mon 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 17 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
The forecast for GJT, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 19 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
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 GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at ABI 7:08 pm CDT (00:08 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:33 pm CDT (00:33 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ABI is before sunrise there (7:40 am CDT (12:40 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: Grand Junction Regional, Abilene Regional.