Robert Gray Army Airfield to Meadows Field GRK → BFL
1,095 nautical miles (1,260 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 290°, about 286° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 31 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 11:11 am PDT (18:11 UTC). Right now GRK is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 knots; BFL is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 14 knots, gusting to 19. 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
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 518 to 707 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the route from 528 to 687 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 657 to 846 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 697 to 697 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 787 to 946 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 886 to 1026 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 GRK.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 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 12 forecast points nearest it (SAT, ABI, INK, ROW, ELP, ABQ, PHX, PRC, BLH, LAS, ONT, WJF). 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 | 210° at 19 kt | +5 kt | 14 °C | 115 kt | 9 h 31 min | 11:11 am PDT (18:11 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | +5 kt | 12 °C | 115 kt | 9 h 31 min | 11:11 am PDT (18:11 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 22 kt | +6 kt | 9 °C | 114 kt | 9 h 36 min | 11:16 am PDT (18:16 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 24 kt | +7 kt | 6 °C | 113 kt | 9 h 41 min | 11:21 am PDT (18:21 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | +9 kt | 2 °C | 111 kt | 9 h 52 min | 11:32 am PDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | +13 kt | -2 °C | 107 kt | 10 h 14 min | 11:54 am PDT (18:54 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +17 kt | -5 °C | 103 kt | 10 h 38 min | 12:18 pm PDT (19:18 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 40 kt | +20 kt | -8 °C | 100 kt | 10 h 57 min | 12:37 pm PDT (19:37 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 51 kt | +29 kt | -18 °C | 91 kt | 12 h 02 min | 1:42 pm PDT (20:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 63 kt | +34 kt | -28 °C | 86 kt | 12 h 44 min | 2:24 pm PDT (21:24 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 64 kt | +39 kt | -37 °C | 81 kt | 13 h 31 min | 3:11 pm PDT (22:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | +35 kt | -48 °C | 85 kt | 12 h 53 min | 2:33 pm PDT (21:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | used from 0 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 160/18 | 180/22 17° | 190/16 14° | 210/16 9° | 220/16 -5° | 200/11 -14° | 250/8 -29° | 330/8 -40° | 020/26 -51° |
| ABI | used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 200/30 19° | 220/12 16° | 220/11 9° | 230/15 -5° | 250/26 -15° | 250/39 -28° | 270/36 -38° | 280/30 -51° | |
| INK | used from 199 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 220/17 21° | 230/12 14° | 210/13 7° | 220/29 -5° | 240/41 -14° | 230/43 -28° | 250/41 -38° | 250/33 -51° | |
| ROW | used from 299 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 230/12 | 230/17 13° | 220/30 7° | 230/41 -5° | 240/52 -17° | 230/66 -28° | 240/63 -38° | 240/60 -50° | |
| ELP | used from 448 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 300/8 | 210/14 12° | 210/28 6° | 230/47 -6° | 230/56 -14° | 220/58 -27° | 230/60 -38° | 230/56 -50° | |
| ABQ | used from 498 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| PHX | used from 597 nm out; 124 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -47° |
| PRC | used from 697 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 846 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| LAS | used from 896 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 946 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
| WJF | used from 996 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 210/26 4° | 210/28 2° | 230/23 -4° | 240/28 -13° | 220/47 -23° | 220/57 -30° | 220/65 -37° | 220/59 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRK Fort Hood (Killeen), TX | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,015 ft | 2:55 am CDT (07:55 UTC) |
| LZZ Lampasas, TX | 20 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,214 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| BPG Big Spring, TX | 199 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,572 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| HOB Hobbs, NM | 289 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,660 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| ROW Roswell, NM | 368 nm out, 24 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,671 ft | 07:51 UTC |
| TCS Truth Or Consequences, NM | 498 nm out, 16 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| JTC Springerville, AZ | 607 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 18 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 7,055 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 707 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet | variable at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 5,160 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 767 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 5 mi | 4,000 ft | 5,045 ft | 08:18 UTC |
| DAG Daggett, CA | 976 nm out, 19 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,930 ft | 07:50 UTC |
| MHV Mojave, CA | 1046 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,801 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | destination | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 14 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 509 ft | 12:54 am PDT (07:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,055 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BFL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:11 am PDT (18:11 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BFL
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for GRK, the departure
- From Mon 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- Changing between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- Changing between Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- Changing between Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 408 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 876 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8783 38NM NE BAKERSFIELD, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Friday, October 23, 2026 UTC 18 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 23 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at GRK 7:02 pm CDT (00:02 UTC), at BFL 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm PDT (01:49 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: Robert Gray Army Airfield, Meadows Field.