Helena Regional to Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field HLN → BFF
459 nautical miles (528 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 125°, about 113° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 17-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:32 am MDT (08:32 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now HLN is marginal VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 8 knots; BFF is VFR, wind from the east (100°) at 6 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: 3 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 8C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC). Near the route, 399 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8C VALID UNTIL 0655Z NE SD WY FROM 50WNW RAP-20SSW RAP-60NW BFF-40ENE DDY-50WNW RAP DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- 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 289 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 120 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 289 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 130 to 339 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 170 to 439 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 269 nm of 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). Over the route from 209 to 389 nm out.
- 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). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 HLN.
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 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, BIL, LND, BFF). 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 | 130° at 11 kt | +11 kt | 109 kt | 4 h 13 min | 3:24 am MDT (09:24 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 180° at 12 kt | +8 kt | 6 °C | 112 kt | 4 h 06 min | 3:17 am MDT (09:17 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 18 kt | +5 kt | 3 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 59 min | 3:10 am MDT (09:10 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | +5 kt | 1 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 59 min | 3:10 am MDT (09:10 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | +4 kt | -2 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 57 min | 3:08 am MDT (09:08 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +1 kt | -6 °C | 119 kt | 3 h 51 min | 3:02 am MDT (09:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | −1 kt | -10 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 48 min | 2:59 am MDT (08:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 41 kt | −1 kt | -11 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 48 min | 2:59 am MDT (08:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 41 kt | +2 kt | -22 °C | 118 kt | 3 h 53 min | 3:04 am MDT (09:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 51 kt | +4 kt | -33 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 57 min | 3:08 am MDT (09:08 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 64 kt | −12 kt | -38 °C | 132 kt | 3 h 29 min | 2:40 am MDT (08:40 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 67 kt | −17 kt | -45 °C | 137 kt | 3 h 21 min | 2:32 am MDT (08:32 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; 67 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 50 nm out; 83 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° | |
| LND | used from 249 nm out; 104 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| BFF | used from 349 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLN Helena, MT | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,600 feet, a few clouds at 2,600 feet, overcast at 4,100 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west (280°) at 8 knots | 3 mi | 4,100 ft | 3,877 ft | 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC) |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 60 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 1.5 mi | 400 ft | 4,473 ft | 05:08 UTC |
| RED Red Lodge, MT | 140 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | no report just now | 5,762 ft | ||||
| GEY Greybull, WY | 209 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 9 knots | 7 mi | 1,300 ft | 3,941 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| DGW Douglas, WY | 359 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,932 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 409 nm out, 16 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,401 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| TOR Torrington, WY | 429 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,206 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | destination | VFR | from the east (100°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,762 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BFF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:32 am MDT (08:32 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 15,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BFF
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain showers
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for HLN, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 24, visibility ¾ mile, light snow, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility 1½ miles, light snow, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, light snow, mist, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 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 HLN 6:46 pm MDT (00:46 UTC), at BFF 6:17 pm MDT (00:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:45 pm MDT (00:45 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BFF is before sunrise there (7:03 am MDT (13:03 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: Helena Regional, Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field.