Great Falls International to Louisville Muhammad Ali International GTF → SDF
1,252 nautical miles (1,440 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 107°, about 094° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC). Right now GTF is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots; SDF is marginal VFR, wind calm. 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: 38 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 C13C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 2:55 am MDT (08:55 UTC). Over the route from 377 to 447 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120655 MKCC WST 120655 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 13C VALID UNTIL 0855Z SD FROM 50NW DPR-30ESE DPR-20SE RAP-50WNW RAP-50NW DPR AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 606 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 179 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 20 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 109 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 189 to 248 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 258 nm along the route.
- 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), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 308 nm along the route.
- 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), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 715 to 954 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 99 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
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 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 12 forecast points nearest it (GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, RAP, PIR, FSD, DSM, BRL, SPI, EVV, LOU). 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 | 230° at 21 kt | −9 kt | 129 kt | 9 h 42 min | 1:23 pm EDT (17:23 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 14 kt | −1 kt | 11 °C | 121 kt | 10 h 21 min | 2:02 pm EDT (18:02 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −4 kt | 12 °C | 124 kt | 10 h 06 min | 1:47 pm EDT (17:47 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 16 kt | −6 kt | 8 °C | 126 kt | 9 h 56 min | 1:37 pm EDT (17:37 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 19 kt | −7 kt | 4 °C | 127 kt | 9 h 51 min | 1:32 pm EDT (17:32 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | −9 kt | 0 °C | 129 kt | 9 h 42 min | 1:23 pm EDT (17:23 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | −12 kt | -4 °C | 132 kt | 9 h 29 min | 1:10 pm EDT (17:10 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | −15 kt | -8 °C | 135 kt | 9 h 16 min | 12:57 pm EDT (16:57 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 23 kt | −16 kt | -9 °C | 136 kt | 9 h 12 min | 12:53 pm EDT (16:53 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 28 kt | −20 kt | -20 °C | 140 kt | 8 h 57 min | 12:38 pm EDT (16:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 34 kt | −23 kt | -35 °C | 143 kt | 8 h 45 min | 12:26 pm EDT (16:26 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 47 kt | −40 kt | -41 °C | 160 kt | 7 h 50 min | 11:31 am EDT (15:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 53 kt | −46 kt | -48 °C | 166 kt | 7 h 33 min | 11:14 am EDT (15:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 070/11 | 080/15 -7° | 110/19 -9° | 190/25 -14° | 200/34 -23° | 200/54 -39° | 220/66 -40° | 220/77 -44° | |
| BIL | used from 99 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 149 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| DIK | used from 298 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 150/24 7° | 200/38 6° | 220/53 0° | 230/51 -9° | 230/49 -21° | 240/37 -37° | 240/47 -44° | 250/65 -48° | |
| RAP | used from 348 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| PIR | used from 397 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| FSD | used from 596 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| DSM | used from 745 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| BRL | used from 894 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| SPI | used from 993 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 220/21 | 250/23 16° | 260/27 9° | 270/14 6° | 270/23 -7° | 270/31 -19° | 270/28 -33° | 290/48 -42° | 300/55 -52° |
| EVV | used from 1142 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| LOU | used from 1192 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -49° |
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 | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 5 mi | 1,200 ft | 3,680 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
| LWT Lewistown, MT | 79 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 4,170 ft | ||||
| MLS Miles City, MT | 228 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 2,634 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| PIR Pierre, SD | 497 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 8 knots | 2.5 mi | 500 ft | 1,744 ft | 07:27 UTC |
| MHE Mitchell, SD | 606 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,304 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 656 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (010°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 834 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 21,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 957 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| BRL Burlington, IA | 954 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 698 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| DEC Decatur, IL | 1073 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 681 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| HUF Terre Haute, IN | 1152 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 07:29 UTC |
| SDF Louisville, KY | destination | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 5 mi | none | 500 ft | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 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 SDF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SDF
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 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 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for GTF, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 3 miles, light snow, overcast at 600 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light snow
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the north at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- At times between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light snow, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,000 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 GTF 6:41 pm MDT (00:41 UTC), at SDF 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:36 pm EDT (23:36 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, Louisville Muhammad Ali International.