Plan a flight · Sun 7:33 pm MDT (01:33 UTC)

Helena Regional to Miami-Opa Locka Executive HLN → OPF

1,952 nautical miles (2,247 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 118°, about 106° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 13 h 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 27-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:50 am EDT (14:50 UTC). Right now HLN is IFR, wind from the west (270°) at 7 knots; OPF is VFR, wind from the east (100°) at 3 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 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 3W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 179 to 339 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 120055
MKCW WST 120055
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3W
VALID UNTIL 0255Z
MT WY
FROM 10WSW MLS-70E DDY-20N LAR-50E BPI-30NE BIL-10WSW MLS
AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
```
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the first 269 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft, from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the first 498 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the first 239 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the route from 110 to 279 nm out.
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 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the route from 159 to 249 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft, from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the route from 1365 to 1484 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 HLN.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

UAL1340 at 40,000 ft, 36 nm southwest, 6:18 pm MDT (00:18 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 244° at 70 knots. 598 nm along the route, 36 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL1340 4046N 10049W 0018 F400 244/070KT TB OCNL MOD CHOP IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
A21N at 33,000 ft, 15 nm southwest, 4:51 pm MDT (22:51 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-11. 1434 nm along the route, 15 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GZH UA /OV MVC360030/TM 2251/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZTLFD-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through GZH
Where
30 nm north (360°) of MVC
Time
22:51 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
ZTLFD-11
B737 at 26,000 ft, 38 nm southwest, 5:19 pm MDT (23:19 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-11. 1454 nm along the route, 38 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GZH UA /OV MVC/TM 2319/FL260/TP B737/TB CONS MOD CHOP 260-280/RM ZTLFD-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through GZH
Where
over MVC
Time
23:19 UTC
Height
at 26,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
continuous moderate chop from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-11
B738 at 24,000 ft, 33 nm south, 5:13 pm MDT (23:13 UTC): remarks: snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc. At the departure end, 33 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN270030/TM 2313/FL240/TP B738/RM SN TOP FL 240 /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
30 nm west (270°) of BZN
Time
23:13 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Remarks
snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc
E75L descending, 27 nm south, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): remarks: had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground. At the departure end, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0104/FLDURD/TP E75L/RM HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AT 400-500FT AGL
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
over BZN
Time
01:04 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
E75L
Remarks
had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground
B737 descending, 27 nm south, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. At the departure end, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0028/FLDURD/TP B737/SK SCT080/WX 1/2SM SN FG/RM BROKE OUT ABOUT 100FT ABOVE MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
over BZN
Time
00:28 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B737
Sky
scattered clouds from 8,000 ft
Weather
1/2SM, snow, fog
Remarks
broke out about 100FT above mins
A306 at 4,700 ft, 28 nm northeast, 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 139 nm along the route, 28 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BIL UA /OV BIL280001/TM 0051/FL047/TP A306/SK BASE 047
```
Report
a routine report filed through BIL
Where
1 nm west (280°) of BIL
Time
00:51 UTC
Height
at 4,700 ft
Aircraft
A306
Sky
base 4,700 ft
BE9T at 17,500 ft, 5 nm south, 4:40 pm MDT (22:40 UTC): no turbulence, light icing, -6 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-22. 279 nm along the route, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GCC UA /OV CZI020012/TM 2240/FL175/TP BE9T/TA M06/TB NEG/IC LGT MIX /RM ZDVWC-22
```
Report
a routine report filed through GCC
Where
12 nm north (020°) of CZI
Time
22:40 UTC
Height
at 17,500 ft
Aircraft
BE9T
Temperature
−6 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
light mix
Remarks
ZDVWC-22
A21N at 35,000 ft, 22 nm northeast, 4:47 pm MDT (22:47 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-32. 299 nm along the route, 22 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GCC UA /OV GCC/TM 2247/FL350/TP A21N/TB NEG /RM ZDVWC-32
```
Report
a routine report filed through GCC
Where
over GCC
Time
22:47 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZDVWC-32
B789 at 40,000 ft, 48 nm southwest, 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 568 nm along the route, 48 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SNY UA /OV SNY088072/TM 0022/FL400/TP B789/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CAT /RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SNY
Where
72 nm east (088°) of SNY
Time
00:22 UTC
Height
at 40,000 ft
Aircraft
B789
Turbulence
occasional light to moderate clear-air turbulence
Remarks
zdvwc
B789 at 40,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 578 nm along the route, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SNY UA /OV SNY088081/TM 0022/FL400/TP B789/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SNY
Where
81 nm east (088°) of SNY
Time
00:22 UTC
Height
at 40,000 ft
Aircraft
B789
Turbulence
occasional light to moderate clear-air turbulence
Remarks
zdvwc
C750 at 43,000 ft, 42 nm southwest, 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence above 43,000 ft, remarks: zme. 1126 nm along the route, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LIT UA /OV LIT360025/TM 0050/FL430/TP C750/TB CONS LGT-MOD CHOP 430/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through LIT
Where
25 nm north (360°) of LIT
Time
00:50 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
C750
Turbulence
continuous light to moderate chop at 43,000 ft
Remarks
zme
A319 at 39,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 5:11 pm MDT (23:11 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: smooth. 1215 nm along the route, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MEM UA /OV MEM/TM 2311/FL390/TP A319/TB NEG CHOP/RM SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through MEM
Where
over MEM
Time
23:11 UTC
Height
at 39,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
no chop
Remarks
smooth
B712 at 30,000 ft, 5 nm east, 5:09 pm MDT (23:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. 1375 nm along the route, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2309/FL300/TP B712/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME46
```
Report
a routine report filed through CBM
Where
50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
Time
23:09 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
B712
Turbulence
continuous light chop
Remarks
ZME46

8 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 18 forecast points nearest it (GTF, BIL, RAP, BFF, ONL, GRI, SLN, MKC, SGF, LIT, MEM, JAN, BHM, MGM, TLH, PIE, MLB, MIA). 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	240° at 11 kt	−4 kt		124 kt	15 h 45 min	1:18 pm EDT (17:18 UTC)
5,500 ft	230° at 4 kt	−1 kt	16 °C	121 kt	16 h 08 min	1:41 pm EDT (17:41 UTC)
7,500 ft	250° at 8 kt	−4 kt	15 °C	124 kt	15 h 45 min	1:18 pm EDT (17:18 UTC)
9,500 ft	250° at 12 kt	−7 kt	9 °C	127 kt	15 h 22 min	12:55 pm EDT (16:55 UTC)
11,500 ft	250° at 15 kt	−9 kt	6 °C	129 kt	15 h 08 min	12:41 pm EDT (16:41 UTC)
13,500 ft	250° at 17 kt	−11 kt	3 °C	131 kt	14 h 54 min	12:27 pm EDT (16:27 UTC)
15,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	−12 kt	-2 °C	132 kt	14 h 47 min	12:20 pm EDT (16:20 UTC)
17,500 ft	250° at 21 kt	−13 kt	-6 °C	133 kt	14 h 41 min	12:14 pm EDT (16:14 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 21 kt	−13 kt	-7 °C	133 kt	14 h 41 min	12:14 pm EDT (16:14 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 27 kt	−16 kt	-18 °C	136 kt	14 h 21 min	11:54 am EDT (15:54 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 32 kt	−17 kt	-33 °C	137 kt	14 h 15 min	11:48 am EDT (15:48 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 37 kt	−21 kt	-41 °C	141 kt	13 h 51 min	11:24 am EDT (15:24 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 40 kt	−27 kt	-50 °C	147 kt	13 h 17 min	10:50 am EDT (14:50 UTC)

Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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; 65 nm from the line		070/21	080/18 -6°	120/5 -5°	180/30 -14°	200/53 -24°	210/80 -38°	220/83 -44°	230/68 -46°
BIL	used from 50 nm out; 79 nm from the line		080/24	130/14 -1°	180/33 0°	210/43 -10°	220/58 -21°	200/55 -36°	220/75 -44°	240/83 -48°
RAP	used from 299 nm out; 102 nm from the line		120/15 12°	180/22 11°	220/26 5°	230/35 -9°	240/40 -22°	240/50 -37°	240/51 -41°	240/47 -47°
BFF	used from 398 nm out; 63 nm from the line		120/24	180/31 13°	210/26 7°	230/25 -7°	240/41 -20°	230/52 -36°	250/56 -41°	260/57 -45°
ONL	used from 548 nm out; 110 nm from the line		200/20 17°	230/26 14°	240/21 7°	250/27 -9°	260/32 -19°	240/44 -34°	240/56 -41°	250/62 -51°
GRI	used from 598 nm out; 71 nm from the line		210/31 19°	240/21 14°	240/17 6°	260/27 -7°	260/34 -18°	240/45 -32°	250/56 -40°	260/62 -51°
SLN	used from 747 nm out; 44 nm from the line	190/37	220/39 20°	240/31 14°	250/24 7°	260/25 -7°	250/26 -17°	250/44 -31°	260/47 -40°	260/47 -50°
MKC	used from 847 nm out; 65 nm from the line	200/28	220/30 16°	270/20 11°	280/22 7°	260/27 -6°	270/27 -18°	280/38 -32°	270/38 -40°	280/50 -52°
SGF	used from 946 nm out; 31 nm from the line	210/21	210/21 16°	240/28 12°	260/24 7°	280/21 -6°	280/26 -18°	290/38 -31°	290/37 -41°	300/49 -52°
LIT	used from 1096 nm out; 64 nm from the line	220/12	250/12 17°	250/18 12°	260/22 6°	310/14 -5°	310/25 -17°	310/40 -31°	310/38 -41°	310/46 -52°
MEM	used from 1146 nm out; 48 nm from the line	240/9	280/14 17°	280/20 12°	290/25 5°	320/25 -6°	330/31 -18°	320/52 -32°	330/58 -41°	320/42 -50°
JAN	used from 1295 nm out; 96 nm from the line	260/6	310/14 17°	280/13 12°	290/19 6°	310/22 -5°	310/28 -17°	320/44 -32°	330/48 -41°	320/52 -51°
BHM	used from 1345 nm out; 76 nm from the line	300/16	330/32 16°	320/37 11°	330/37 6°	310/33 -7°	310/30 -18°	320/40 -34°	330/43 -41°	330/30 -49°
MGM	used from 1395 nm out; 47 nm from the line	300/16	330/30 16°	330/34 11°	320/31 7°	310/28 -7°	320/29 -17°	290/25 -34°	300/28 -41°	320/28 -50°
TLH	used from 1544 nm out; 48 nm from the line	300/17	340/32 17°	320/27 13°	300/27 8°	280/23 -7°	250/37 -17°	230/44 -33°	220/53 -41°	220/48 -51°
PIE	used from 1693 nm out; 60 nm from the line	310/7	270/12 17°	270/14 13°	260/14 8°	240/22 -5°	230/24 -16°	220/26 -31°	200/31 -41°	180/33 -53°
MLB	used from 1843 nm out; 79 nm from the line	240/7	240/11 17°	240/13 13°	250/15 8°	230/25 -5°	210/25 -16°	210/24 -31°	190/29 -41°	190/27 -53°
MIA	used from 1893 nm out; 40 nm from the line	190/8	L/V 18°	180/5 14°	L/V 9°	190/10 -5°	160/10 -16°	150/13 -30°	160/26 -40°	150/23 -52°

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	IFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light snow, mist	from the west (270°) at 7 knots	1.75 mi	1,400 ft	3,877 ft	7:19 pm MDT (01:19 UTC)
LVM Livingston, MT	80 nm out, 17 nm south of the line	low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light snow, mist	from the east (080°) at 15 knots	2.5 mi	400 ft	4,659 ft	01:11 UTC
BYG Buffalo, WY	259 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: rain, mist	from the north (360°) at 5 knots	2.5 mi	200 ft	4,970 ft	01:28 UTC
CDR Chadron, NE	438 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	3,297 ft	00:53 UTC
CYW Clay Center, KS	777 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line	no report just now				1,208 ft
MHK Manhattan, KS	807 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,066 ft	00:52 UTC
BBG Branson, MO	1036 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	1,302 ft	00:45 UTC
GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS	1325 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	264 ft	00:56 UTC
SEM Selma, AL	1434 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower	reported, no category	from the east (080°) at 27 knots, gusting to 37		3,300 ft	166 ft	01:30 UTC
MAI Marianna, FL	1564 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the west (280°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	110 ft	00:53 UTC
TPA Tampa, FL	1783 nm out, 6 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 20,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	25,000 ft	26 ft	00:53 UTC
OPF Miami, FL	destination	VFR	from the east (100°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	8 ft	8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 4,970 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At OPF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:50 am EDT (14:50 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet VFR

The whole forecast for OPF

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet

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 OPF 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 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

Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Miami-Opa Locka Executive.