Great Falls International to Van Nuys Airport GTF → VNY
859 nautical miles (989 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 205°, about 192° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 4-knot headwind), arriving about 2:26 pm PDT (21:26 UTC). Right now GTF is low IFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots; VNY is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) 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 320 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 150 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 639 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 579 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 679 to 829 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 90 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the route from 799 to 829 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
- B739 at 27,000 ft, 40 nm northwest, 6:56 am MDT (12:56 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 350 nm along the route, 40 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TWF UA /OV TWF247042/TM 1256/FL270/TP B739/TB MOD CHOP/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through TWF
- Where
- 42 nm southwest (247°) of TWF
- Time
- 12:56 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- moderate chop/zlc
- A21N at 8,000 ft, 17 nm south, 7:30 am MDT (13:30 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 1330/FL080/TP A21N/TB MODERATE
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over LAX
- Time
- 13:30 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate
- 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, 2 nm north, 6:31 am MDT (12:31 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 41,000 ft. 50 nm along the route, 2 nm north 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
- BE9L at 7,500 ft, 9 nm southeast, 6:45 am MDT (12:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing, overcast from 7,500 ft to 9,000 ft, -6 °C, remarks: during the climb. 60 nm along the route, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HLN UA /OV HLN120010/TM 1245/FL075/TP BE9L/SK OVC075-TOPS090/TA M06/TB NEG/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through HLN
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (120°) of HLN
- Time
- 12:45 UTC
- Height
- at 7,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- overcast from 7,500 ft, tops 9,000 ft
- Temperature
- −6 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B350 at 8,000 ft, 11 nm east, 7:50 am MDT (13:50 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 8,000 ft. At the destination end, 11 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
EDW UA /OV PMD/TM 1350/FL080/TP B350/SK BKN030-TOP080
- Report
- a routine report filed through EDW
- Where
- over PMD
- Time
- 13:50 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B350
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 8,000 ft
- A333 descending, 45 nm southeast, 5:05 am MDT (11:05 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 7,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 26R. At the destination end, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT080/TM 1105/FLUNKN/TP A333/SK OVC015 - TOP070/RM DURD RY26R
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- ONT080
- Time
- 11:05 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft, tops 7,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 26R
- C700 at 8,600 ft, 5 nm northeast, 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC): overcast above 8,600 ft. At the destination end, 5 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUR UA /OV 5 NW BUR/TM 1327/FL086/TP C700/SK OVC086
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUR
- Where
- 5 northwest bur
- Time
- 13:27 UTC
- Height
- at 8,600 ft
- Aircraft
- C700
- Sky
- overcast from 8,600 ft
- A321 at 2,900 ft, 17 nm south, 7:09 am MDT (13:09 UTC): a broken layer above 2,900 ft. At the destination end, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 1309/FL029/TP A321/SK BKN029
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 13:09 UTC
- Height
- at 2,900 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,900 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 7 forecast points nearest it (GTF, DLN, PIH, BAM, ELY, BIH, WJF). 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 | 190° at 5 kt | +4 kt | 4 °C | 116 kt | 7 h 24 min | 2:26 pm PDT (21:26 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 190° at 5 kt | +5 kt | 4 °C | 115 kt | 7 h 28 min | 2:30 pm PDT (21:30 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 10 kt | +10 kt | -1 °C | 110 kt | 7 h 49 min | 2:51 pm PDT (21:51 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 15 kt | +15 kt | -3 °C | 105 kt | 8 h 11 min | 3:13 pm PDT (22:13 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | +20 kt | -6 °C | 100 kt | 8 h 35 min | 3:37 pm PDT (22:37 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | +25 kt | -10 °C | 95 kt | 9 h 03 min | 4:05 pm PDT (23:05 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | +29 kt | -14 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 26 min | 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 34 kt | +33 kt | -17 °C | 87 kt | 9 h 52 min | 4:54 pm PDT (23:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 42 kt | +41 kt | -27 °C | 79 kt | 10 h 52 min | 5:54 pm PDT (00:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 58 kt | +57 kt | -31 °C | 63 kt | 13 h 38 min | 8:40 pm PDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 62 kt | +60 kt | -36 °C | 60 kt | 14 h 19 min | 9:21 pm PDT (04:21 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 56 kt | +54 kt | -43 °C | 66 kt | 13 h 01 min | 8:03 pm PDT (03:03 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 -7° | 240/8 -8° | 240/30 -14° | 240/40 -28° | 210/52 -38° | 210/76 -38° | 220/72 -43° | |
| DLN | used from 50 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 190/10 -4° | 220/23 -4° | 210/21 -18° | 210/43 -28° | 210/60 -33° | 210/72 -37° | 210/67 -44° | ||
| PIH | used from 200 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 070/8 | 150/19 1° | 180/32 -4° | 210/44 -17° | 210/37 -28° | 210/74 -31° | 220/68 -35° | 220/60 -43° | |
| BAM | used from 350 nm out; 115 nm from the line | 280/9 -2° | 260/18 -8° | 190/47 -19° | 200/50 -29° | 210/56 -29° | 220/54 -34° | 220/45 -42° | ||
| ELY | used from 499 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 210/34 1° | 220/40 -4° | 220/39 -17° | 210/51 -24° | 220/65 -30° | 220/60 -37° | 220/56 -44° | ||
| BIH | used from 599 nm out; 80 nm from the line | L/V | 020/6 0° | 140/7 -7° | 210/31 -16° | 230/34 -26° | 220/43 -30° | 220/52 -36° | 220/46 -43° | |
| WJF | used from 749 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 210/26 4° | 210/28 2° | 230/23 -4° | 240/28 -13° | 220/47 -23° | 220/57 -30° | 220/65 -37° | 220/59 -45° |
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 | 60 nm out, 2 nm north 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 |
| BTM Butte, MT | 100 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 5,550 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| AOC Arco, ID | 250 nm out, 19 nm east of the line | no report just now | 5,334 ft | ||||
| TWF Twin Falls, ID | 330 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 4,153 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| LWL Wells, NV | 410 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 5,769 ft | ||||
| EKO Elko, NV | 440 nm out, 20 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,300 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 4,300 ft | 5,139 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| TPH Tonopah, NV | 619 nm out, 16 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,430 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| IYK Inyokern, CA | 769 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 2,457 ft | ||||
| MHV Mojave, CA | 809 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 feet, overcast at 3,800 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 3,800 ft | 2,801 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 802 ft | 6:51 am PDT (13:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,769 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At VNY when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:26 pm PDT (21:26 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for VNY
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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
- 6/8783 38NM NE BAKERSFIELD, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Friday, October 23, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 769 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 23 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at GTF 6:41 pm MDT (00:41 UTC), at VNY 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm PDT (01:47 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, Van Nuys Airport.