Great Falls International to Phoenix Sky Harbor International GTF → PHX
844 nautical miles (971 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 182°, about 169° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 2:34 pm MST (21:34 UTC). Right now GTF is low IFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots; PHX is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) 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: 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
- SIGMET W27W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the west at 45 knots, until 9:55 am MDT (15:55 UTC). Over the route from 278 to 397 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 121355 MKCW WST 121355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 27W VALID UNTIL 1555Z WY UT ID FROM 40E PIH-20NW BPI-50E SLC-20SW SLC-40E PIH DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 26045KT. TOPS TO FL270.
- 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 308 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 119 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the whole route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 139 to 635 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 536 to 774 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 556 to 804 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 596 to 804 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 GTF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 7 forecast points nearest it (GTF, DLN, PIH, SLC, BCE, PRC, PHX). 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 5 kt | +5 kt | 115 kt | 7 h 20 min | 2:34 pm MST (21:34 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 12 kt | +12 kt | 2 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 49 min | 3:03 pm MST (22:03 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 17 kt | +16 kt | -1 °C | 104 kt | 8 h 07 min | 3:21 pm MST (22:21 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 200° at 25 kt | +24 kt | -3 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 48 min | 4:02 pm MST (23:02 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 200° at 31 kt | +29 kt | -6 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 16 min | 4:30 pm MST (23:30 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 200° at 37 kt | +35 kt | -10 °C | 85 kt | 9 h 56 min | 5:10 pm MST (00:10 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 200° at 43 kt | +40 kt | -14 °C | 80 kt | 10 h 33 min | 5:47 pm MST (00:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 200° at 44 kt | +41 kt | -15 °C | 79 kt | 10 h 41 min | 5:55 pm MST (00:55 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 200° at 59 kt | +55 kt | -26 °C | 65 kt | 12 h 59 min | 8:13 pm MST (03:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 74 kt | +65 kt | -32 °C | 55 kt | 15 h 21 min | 10:35 pm MST (05:35 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 76 kt | +62 kt | -37 °C | 58 kt | 14 h 33 min | 9:47 pm MST (04:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 69 kt | +55 kt | -44 °C | 65 kt | 12 h 59 min | 8:13 pm MST (03:13 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° | |
| DLN | used from 99 nm out; 46 nm from the line | L/V -3° | 170/16 -6° | 180/21 -18° | 190/27 -30° | 210/63 -33° | 210/62 -36° | 210/51 -42° | ||
| PIH | used from 199 nm out; 68 nm from the line | L/V | 180/8 -1° | 190/21 -6° | 210/56 -18° | 190/64 -28° | 210/68 -31° | 210/60 -36° | 210/54 -42° | |
| SLC | used from 348 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 180/7 | 200/22 2° | 200/30 -4° | 210/47 -16° | 200/73 -27° | 210/81 -32° | 210/71 -37° | 210/55 -43° | |
| BCE | used from 496 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 200/31 -2° | 190/46 -14° | 210/72 -24° | 210/87 -30° | 220/89 -38° | 220/78 -46° | |||
| PRC | used from 695 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 200/38 5° | 200/44 -1° | 210/72 -11° | 220/78 -20° | 220/85 -29° | 230/99 -36° | 230/105 -47° | ||
| PHX | used from 794 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/12 | 210/26 11° | 200/30 5° | 200/40 0° | 220/66 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/83 -27° | 230/93 -35° | 220/92 -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: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 0.25 mi | 400 ft | 3,680 ft | 7:53 am MDT (13:53 UTC) |
| HLN Helena, MT | 50 nm out, 24 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 4,300 feet | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 3,877 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 99 nm out, 13 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: mist | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 2 mi | 200 ft | 4,473 ft | 14:03 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 238 nm out, 21 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots | 6 mi | 800 ft | 4,743 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | 407 nm out, 13 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 18 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 4,230 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 437 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-southeast (120°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 4,496 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| BCE Bryce Canyon, UT | 586 nm out, 14 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet Weather: light rain | from the southeast (140°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 2,200 ft | 7,589 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| PGA Page, AZ | 635 nm out, 21 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 4,316 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 695 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 4 mi | 600 ft | 6,608 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| DVT Phoenix, AZ | 824 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 1,478 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,134 ft | 6:51 am MST (13:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,589 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:34 pm MST (21:34 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Mon 7:00 am MST (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet and more above
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am MST (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 6:00 am MST (13:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 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 PHX 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:22 pm MST (01:22 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: Great Falls International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.