Plan a flight · Mon 9:03 am MDT (15:03 UTC)

Great Falls International to Rickenbacker International GTF → LCK

1,310 nautical miles (1,507 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 100°, about 087° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC). Right now GTF is low IFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots; LCK is IFR, wind from the south (180°) at 5 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 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 740 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 190 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 100 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 200 to 290 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the last 50 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 GTF.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

DC3T at 8,500 ft, 3 nm southwest, 8:03 am MDT (14:03 UTC): light to moderate rime icing above 8,000 ft, -8 °C. At the departure end, 3 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GTF UA /OV 300025/TM 1403/FL085/TP DC3T/TA M8/IC LGT-MOD RIME 080
```
Report
a routine report filed through GTF
Where
wind from 300° at 25 knots
Time
14:03 UTC
Height
at 8,500 ft
Aircraft
DC3T
Temperature
−8 °C
Icing
light to moderate rime at 8,000 ft
A319 at 7,500 ft, 3 nm southwest, 7:41 am MDT (13:41 UTC): overcast from 30,000 ft to 7,500 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GTF UA /OV 180010/TM 1341/FL075/TP A319/SK OVC003-TOPS075
```
Report
a routine report filed through GTF
Where
wind from 180° at 10 knots
Time
13:41 UTC
Height
at 7,500 ft
Aircraft
A319
Sky
overcast from 300 ft, tops 7,500 ft
B752 at 41,000 ft, 48 nm southwest, 6:31 am MDT (12:31 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 41,000 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HLN UA /OV HLN009010/TM 1231/FL410/TP B752/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 410/ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through HLN
Where
10 nm north (009°) of HLN
Time
12:31 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
B752
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate 410/ZLC
CRJ7 at 29,500 ft, 43 nm north, 6:45 am MDT (12:45 UTC): light chop turbulence. 320 nm along the route, 43 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DIK UA /OV DIK270030/TM 1245/FL295/TP CRJ7/SK TOP 295/TB LGT CHOP/ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DIK
Where
30 nm west (270°) of DIK
Time
12:45 UTC
Height
at 29,500 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Sky
top 29,500 ft
Turbulence
light chop/zlc
C414 at 8,000 ft, 45 nm north, 8:19 am MDT (14:19 UTC): no icing, 7 °C. 370 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DIK UA /OV DIK090020/TM 1419/FL080/TP C414/SK TOP080/TA 07/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through DIK
Where
20 nm east (090°) of DIK
Time
14:19 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
C414
Sky
TOP080
Temperature
7 °C
Icing
none
SR22 at 7,000 ft, 35 nm north, 7:37 am MDT (13:37 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 7,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 440 nm along the route, 35 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BIS UA /OV BIS170030/TM 1337/FL070/TP SR22/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through BIS
Where
30 nm south (170°) of BIS
Time
13:37 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
SR22
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
C414 at 9,000 ft, 38 nm north, 8:48 am MDT (14:48 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C. 460 nm along the route, 38 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
7L2 UA /OV 7L2/TM 1448/FL090/TP C414/SK BASE100/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through 7L2
Where
over 7L2
Time
14:48 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
C414
Sky
BASE100
Temperature
13 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
A21N at 34,000 ft, 42 nm north, 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 470 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BIS UA /OV BIS130040/TM 1434/FL340/TP A21N/SK TOP360
```
Report
a routine report filed through BIS
Where
40 nm southeast (130°) of BIS
Time
14:34 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Sky
TOP360
A321 at 35,000 ft, 3 nm west, 7:38 am MDT (13:38 UTC): no turbulence. 470 nm along the route, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MBG UA /OV MBG/TM 1338/FL350/TP A321/SK TOP310/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through MBG
Where
over MBG
Time
13:38 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Sky
TOP310
Turbulence
none
C25A at 7,500 ft, 11 nm north, 6:31 am MDT (12:31 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the climb. 610 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATY UA /OV ATY/TM 1231/FL075/TP C25A/SK BASEUNKN/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATY
Where
over ATY
Time
12:31 UTC
Height
at 7,500 ft
Aircraft
C25A
Sky
baseunkn
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
during the climb
SF50 at 13,000 ft, 13 nm north, 7:36 am MDT (13:36 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 13,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 700 nm along the route, 13 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RWF UA /OV RWF/TM 1336/FL130/TP SF50/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through RWF
Where
over RWF
Time
13:36 UTC
Height
at 13,000 ft
Aircraft
SF50
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
BE36 at 6,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 7:12 am MDT (13:12 UTC): no turbulence. 750 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FRM UA /OV FRM/TM 1312/FL060/TP BE36/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through FRM
Where
over FRM
Time
13:12 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Turbulence
none
P46T at 31,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 7:37 am MDT (13:37 UTC): light chop turbulence. 850 nm along the route, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ALO UA /OV ALO270005/TM 1337/FL310/TP P46T/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through ALO
Where
5 nm west (270°) of ALO
Time
13:37 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
P46T
Turbulence
intermittent light chop
B752 at 34,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 6:23 am MDT (12:23 UTC): light chop turbulence. 910 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DBQ UA /OV DBQ300020/TM 1223/FL340/TP B752/TB OCNL LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through DBQ
Where
20 nm northwest (300°) of DBQ
Time
12:23 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B752
Turbulence
occasional light chop

16 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, FSD, MSP, MCW, LSE, DBQ, JOT, FWA, CMH). 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	240° at 15 kt	−9 kt		129 kt	10 h 09 min	9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC)
5,500 ft	250° at 13 kt	−9 kt	1 °C	129 kt	10 h 09 min	9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC)
7,500 ft	250° at 17 kt	−12 kt	10 °C	132 kt	9 h 55 min	8:58 pm EDT (00:58 UTC)
9,500 ft	250° at 21 kt	−15 kt	7 °C	135 kt	9 h 42 min	8:45 pm EDT (00:45 UTC)
11,500 ft	250° at 23 kt	−18 kt	4 °C	138 kt	9 h 30 min	8:33 pm EDT (00:33 UTC)
13,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	−19 kt	0 °C	139 kt	9 h 25 min	8:28 pm EDT (00:28 UTC)
15,500 ft	250° at 26 kt	−20 kt	-5 °C	140 kt	9 h 21 min	8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC)
17,500 ft	250° at 27 kt	−21 kt	-10 °C	141 kt	9 h 17 min	8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 27 kt	−21 kt	-11 °C	141 kt	9 h 17 min	8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 33 kt	−26 kt	-23 °C	146 kt	8 h 58 min	8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 40 kt	−32 kt	-35 °C	152 kt	8 h 37 min	7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 47 kt	−40 kt	-38 °C	160 kt	8 h 11 min	7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 50 kt	−46 kt	-46 °C	166 kt	7 h 53 min	6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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
GTF	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line		L/V	L/V -4°	230/12 -3°	210/12 -17°	190/23 -29°	200/48 -39°	210/69 -39°	220/66 -42°
BIL	used from 100 nm out; 77 nm from the line		L/V	250/11 -1°	240/20 -2°	230/28 -15°	220/28 -28°	220/53 -34°	220/55 -39°	220/63 -44°
MLS	used from 150 nm out; 60 nm from the line		320/9 -2°	270/14 0°	260/22 -1°	220/30 -14°	210/43 -26°	230/53 -34°	230/54 -38°	230/59 -44°
DIK	used from 300 nm out; 47 nm from the line		330/11 1°	230/20 4°	220/22 0°	230/29 -12°	240/27 -25°	240/40 -34°	230/49 -37°	240/55 -44°
PIR	used from 450 nm out; 70 nm from the line		300/15 10°	270/10 10°	220/18 4°	220/36 -11°	230/43 -21°	240/48 -33°	240/51 -37°	240/55 -44°
ABR	used from 500 nm out; 30 nm from the line	020/9	230/5 12°	190/14 11°	200/25 5°	230/37 -11°	230/50 -23°	240/39 -34°	240/49 -38°	240/55 -46°
FSD	used from 600 nm out; 68 nm from the line	260/9	210/16 18°	220/27 14°	230/28 6°	240/39 -9°	240/48 -22°	260/52 -32°	260/61 -38°	260/60 -46°
MSP	used from 700 nm out; 79 nm from the line	140/8	210/22 19°	230/31 13°	240/31 5°	240/29 -9°	250/34 -21°	250/38 -36°	260/46 -38°	270/55 -47°
MCW	used from 750 nm out; 40 nm from the line	220/19	210/29 20°	230/35 13°	250/35 5°	250/33 -9°	260/44 -21°	260/46 -33°	270/58 -37°	270/59 -46°
LSE	used from 850 nm out; 47 nm from the line	240/16	230/27 20°	250/35 12°	260/28 5°	260/30 -9°	260/37 -21°	260/38 -36°	280/44 -37°	280/52 -47°
DBQ	used from 900 nm out; 24 nm from the line	250/26	240/32 19°	250/35 11°	260/37 5°	270/35 -9°	270/40 -21°	270/43 -35°	280/49 -37°	280/58 -46°
JOT	used from 1000 nm out; 35 nm from the line	230/30	250/26 16°	270/27 11°	280/34 5°	290/32 -8°	280/37 -21°	280/40 -36°	290/46 -37°	290/56 -47°
FWA	used from 1100 nm out; 61 nm from the line	250/18	260/22 15°	260/27 7°	290/26 6°	290/28 -8°	290/39 -20°	280/36 -37°	290/54 -39°	310/60 -48°
CMH	used from 1250 nm out; 33 nm from the line	270/15	280/20 14°	280/21 9°	290/26 4°	290/29 -7°	290/38 -20°	280/44 -35°	280/48 -42°	310/61 -48°

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
GTF Great Falls, MT	departure	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 300 feet Weather: freezing fog	from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots	0.25 mi	300 ft	3,680 ft	8:53 am MDT (14:53 UTC)
LWT Lewistown, MT	80 nm out, 11 nm south of the line	no report just now				4,170 ft
MLS Miles City, MT	230 nm out, 15 nm south of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet	from the northwest (310°) at 12 knots	9 mi	700 ft	2,634 ft	14:53 UTC
BWW Bowman, ND	340 nm out, 2 nm south of the line	low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet Weather: mist	from the north (350°) at 8 knots	4 mi	400 ft	2,965 ft	14:55 UTC
MBG Mobridge, SD	470 nm out, 3 nm west of the line	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the north-northwest (340°) at 9 knots, gusting to 15	5 mi	700 ft	1,716 ft	14:52 UTC
ATY Watertown, SD	610 nm out, 7 nm north of the line	low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist	from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots	1 mi	200 ft	1,749 ft	14:53 UTC
MML Marshall, MN	670 nm out, 3 nm east of the line	low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: fog	from the north-northeast (020°) at 3 knots	0.5 mi	300 ft	1,182 ft	14:56 UTC
AEL Albert Lea, MN	790 nm out, 2 nm west of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 17,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	17,000 ft	1,261 ft	14:55 UTC
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL	1040 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	758 ft	14:52 UTC
MDW Chicago, IL	1060 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	619 ft	14:53 UTC
FWA Fort Wayne, IN	1190 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	814 ft	14:54 UTC
LCK Columbus, OH	destination	IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet	from the south (180°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	800 ft	743 ft	10:55 am EDT (14:55 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 4,170 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At LCK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC)

Wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for LCK

From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 800 feet
At times between Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): overcast at 400 feet
From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for GTF, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility ¾ mile, mist, sky obscured at 300 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, overcast at 400 feet
From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 700 feet
From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 500 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 GTF 6:41 pm MDT (00:41 UTC), at LCK 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 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

Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Great Falls International, Rickenbacker International.