Gerald R Ford International to Rapid City Regional GRR → RAP
766 nautical miles (881 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 281°, about 287° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 6 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 2:56 am MDT (08:56 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now GRR is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 6 knots; RAP is low IFR, wind from the east (090°) at 7 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: 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 3W: 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 308 to 378 nm out.
- 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 627 to 746 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 30 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 GRR.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 40 nm southeast, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the departure end, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JXN
- Where
- 30 nm west (280°) of JXN
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- B38M at 31,000 ft, 39 nm south, 8:04 pm EDT (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. At the departure end, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
- Report
- a routine report filed through AZO
- Where
- over AZO
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
- F2TH at 3,100 ft, 37 nm south, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): remarks: tops 3,100 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AZO UA /OV BTL/TM 2340/FL031/TP F2TH/RM TOPS 031
- Report
- a routine report filed through AZO
- Where
- over BTL
- Time
- 23:40 UTC
- Height
- at 3,100 ft
- Aircraft
- F2TH
- Remarks
- tops 3,100 ft
- E295 at 37,000 ft, 8 nm southwest, 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC): light chop turbulence. 119 nm along the route, 8 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 0053/FL370/TP E295/TB OCNL LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through UES
- Where
- over BAE
- Time
- 00:53 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E295
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- B39M at 34,000 ft, 47 nm north, 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 378 nm along the route, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSP UA /OV MSP240040/TM 2325/FL340/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSP
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (240°) of MSP
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- light chop
- BE20 at 14,000 ft, 17 nm north, 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 507 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
- Report
- a routine report filed through FSD
- Where
- 35 nm north (340°) of FSD
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Turbulence
- continuous light no at 12,000 ft
- B763 at 32,000 ft, 15 nm south, 9:29 pm EDT (01:29 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 686 nm along the route, 15 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
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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (MKG, GRB, DBQ, LSE, MCW, FSD, PIR, RAP). 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 | 220° at 14 kt | +8 kt | 15 °C | 112 kt | 6 h 50 min | 2:56 am MDT (08:56 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 14 kt | +12 kt | 15 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 06 min | 3:12 am MDT (09:12 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +14 kt | 12 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 14 min | 3:20 am MDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 250° at 16 kt | +14 kt | 8 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 14 min | 3:20 am MDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 250° at 15 kt | +14 kt | 4 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 14 min | 3:20 am MDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | +17 kt | 0 °C | 103 kt | 7 h 26 min | 3:32 am MDT (09:32 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 260° at 21 kt | +20 kt | -5 °C | 100 kt | 7 h 40 min | 3:46 am MDT (09:46 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 23 kt | +22 kt | -9 °C | 98 kt | 7 h 49 min | 3:55 am MDT (09:55 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 28 kt | +29 kt | -21 °C | 91 kt | 8 h 25 min | 4:31 am MDT (10:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 36 kt | +38 kt | -35 °C | 82 kt | 9 h 20 min | 5:26 am MDT (11:26 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 42 kt | +43 kt | -44 °C | 77 kt | 9 h 57 min | 6:03 am MDT (12:03 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 59 kt | +60 kt | -51 °C | 60 kt | 12 h 46 min | 8:52 am MDT (14:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKG | used from 0 nm out; 14 nm from the line | 250/5 | 320/10 15° | 310/19 9° | 320/21 3° | 310/23 -10° | 330/37 -22° | 330/51 -38° | 320/44 -47° | 300/60 -49° |
| GRB | used from 99 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 240/24 | 260/18 16° | 270/20 11° | 290/14 4° | 280/24 -9° | 300/34 -21° | 310/51 -38° | 310/54 -48° | 300/71 -51° |
| DBQ | used from 149 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 220/23 | 240/22 16° | 240/24 10° | 260/18 5° | 270/16 -8° | 290/27 -19° | 310/42 -35° | 320/55 -44° | 300/71 -52° |
| LSE | used from 199 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 220/33 | 250/29 17° | 250/15 9° | 260/12 6° | 280/21 -9° | 280/33 -20° | 300/43 -36° | 310/56 -45° | 300/79 -53° |
| MCW | used from 298 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 200/35 | 240/33 18° | 250/20 10° | 260/10 6° | 270/18 -8° | 260/28 -19° | 280/30 -34° | 290/49 -43° | 280/70 -54° |
| FSD | used from 398 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 200/16 | 220/20 17° | 240/26 13° | 230/19 6° | 240/25 -9° | 240/28 -20° | 250/39 -33° | 250/44 -43° | 260/63 -52° |
| PIR | used from 547 nm out; 77 nm from the line | L/V 17° | 230/13 12° | 220/22 6° | 250/31 -9° | 250/34 -21° | 240/50 -35° | 230/61 -43° | 240/62 -51° | |
| RAP | used from 696 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRR Grand Rapids, MI | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 793 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
| MKG Muskegon, MI | 30 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| MWC Milwaukee, WI | 109 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 744 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| MSN Madison, WI | 169 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| LSE La Crosse, WI | 259 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 655 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| RST Rochester, MN | 308 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 8 mi | none | 1,317 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| MWM Windom, MN | 418 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,410 ft | 01:01 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 487 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 18,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| MHE Mitchell, SD | 547 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | VFR | from the northwest (320°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,304 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| PIR Pierre, SD | 647 nm out, 20 nm north 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 | 706 nm out, 3 nm east 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 |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 3,203 ft | 7:52 pm MDT (01:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,203 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:56 am MDT (08:56 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet IFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
The forecast for GRR, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 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 GRR 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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: Gerald R Ford International, Rapid City Regional.