Great Falls International to Salt Lake City International GTF → SLC
403 nautical miles (463 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 184°, about 171° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, a 1-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:57 am MDT (09:57 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now GTF is marginal VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 10 knots; SLC is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) 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: 2,138 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 187 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 147 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 118 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 last 246 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 0 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
- E73L descending, 16 nm east, 12:20 am MDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground. 98 nm along the route, 16 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0620/FLDURD/TP E73L/RM BREAKING ACTION GOOD. BROKE OUT ABOUT 600FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E73L
- Remarks
- breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground
- B737 , 16 nm east, 11:31 pm MDT (05:31 UTC): remarks: saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing. 98 nm along the route, 16 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0531/FLBURD/TP B737/RM SAW THE LIGHT AT 500FT. BRAKING GOOD. NEG ICING
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 05:31 UTC
- Height
- at BURD
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing
- GLF5 descending, 16 nm east, 9:46 pm MDT (03:46 UTC): remarks: broke out 100-150FT above ground. 98 nm along the route, 16 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0346/FLDURD/TP GLF5/RM BROKE OUT 100-150FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 03:46 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Remarks
- broke out 100-150FT above ground
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 4 forecast points nearest it (GTF, DLN, PIH, SLC). 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 | 080° at 3 kt | −1 kt | 121 kt | 3 h 20 min | 3:57 am MDT (09:57 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 120° at 2 kt | +1 kt | -6 °C | 119 kt | 3 h 23 min | 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 4 kt | +4 kt | -3 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 28 min | 4:05 am MDT (10:05 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 10 kt | +8 kt | -4 °C | 112 kt | 3 h 36 min | 4:13 am MDT (10:13 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 17 kt | +15 kt | -7 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 50 min | 4:27 am MDT (10:27 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -10 °C | 97 kt | 4 h 09 min | 4:46 am MDT (10:46 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | +31 kt | -14 °C | 89 kt | 4 h 32 min | 5:09 am MDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 35 kt | +33 kt | -15 °C | 87 kt | 4 h 38 min | 5:15 am MDT (11:15 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 200° at 56 kt | +54 kt | -25 °C | 66 kt | 6 h 06 min | 6:43 am MDT (12:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 65 kt | +57 kt | -33 °C | 63 kt | 6 h 24 min | 7:01 am MDT (13:01 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 72 kt | +60 kt | -37 °C | 60 kt | 6 h 43 min | 7:20 am MDT (13:20 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 70 kt | +56 kt | -43 °C | 64 kt | 6 h 18 min | 6:55 am MDT (12:55 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° | |
| DLN | used from 98 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 090/6 -6° | 240/22 -4° | 210/34 -16° | 210/62 -25° | 210/66 -34° | 210/82 -36° | 220/77 -42° | ||
| PIH | used from 196 nm out; 66 nm from the line | L/V | 240/13 1° | 240/15 -3° | 210/42 -15° | 200/70 -25° | 220/74 -29° | 220/71 -36° | 220/62 -43° | |
| SLC | used from 344 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° |
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 600 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north (350°) at 10 knots | 3 mi | 1,000 ft | 3,680 ft | 12:01 am MDT (06:01 UTC) |
| HLN Helena, MT | 59 nm out, 22 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 3,877 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 98 nm out, 17 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 3 mi | 300 ft | 4,473 ft | 06:24 UTC |
| EKS Ennis, MT | 138 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 2.5 mi | 800 ft | 5,432 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| WYS West Yellowstone, MT | 167 nm out, 22 nm east of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist, unknown precipitation | calm | 1.75 mi | 400 ft | 6,649 ft | 06:10 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 236 nm out, 15 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 4,743 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| LGU Logan, UT | 344 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 4,456 ft | 05:51 UTC |
| OGD Ogden, UT | 383 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 4,472 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,700 feet, a few clouds at 4,400 feet, overcast at 17,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 17,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 11:54 pm MDT (05:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,649 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SLC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:57 am MDT (09:57 UTC)
Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SLC
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
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 SLC 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm MDT (01:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SLC is before sunrise there (7:35 am MDT (13:35 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, Salt Lake City International.