Helena Regional to Salt Lake City International HLN → SLC
349 nautical miles (402 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 180°, about 168° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, a 1-knot headwind), arriving about 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now HLN is IFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots; SLC is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) 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: 1,451 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 269 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 20,000 ft. Over the first 80 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 90 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 250 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 150 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). 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 HLN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L descending, 35 nm east, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): remarks: had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground. 50 nm along the route, 35 nm east 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, 35 nm east, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. 50 nm along the route, 35 nm east 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
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 19 nm west, 6:45 pm MDT (00:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 8 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 19 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230020/TM 0045/FL160/TP B737/TA 8/TB NEG/IC LT RIME 130-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:45 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- lt rime from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B38M at 16,000 ft, 14 nm west, 6:06 pm MDT (00:06 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230015/TM 0006/FL160/TP B38M/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 13 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb
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 3 forecast points nearest it (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 | 200° at 1 kt | +1 kt | 119 kt | 2 h 56 min | 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 2 kt | +2 kt | -6 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 57 min | 12:01 am MDT (06:01 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 7 kt | +5 kt | -2 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 02 min | 12:06 am MDT (06:06 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +9 kt | -3 °C | 111 kt | 3 h 09 min | 12:13 am MDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +16 kt | -6 °C | 104 kt | 3 h 21 min | 12:25 am MDT (06:25 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +24 kt | -10 °C | 96 kt | 3 h 38 min | 12:42 am MDT (06:42 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 210° at 36 kt | +31 kt | -14 °C | 89 kt | 3 h 55 min | 12:59 am MDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 38 kt | +33 kt | -15 °C | 87 kt | 4 h 01 min | 1:05 am MDT (07:05 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 200° at 64 kt | +59 kt | -25 °C | 61 kt | 5 h 43 min | 2:47 am MDT (08:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 69 kt | +56 kt | -31 °C | 64 kt | 5 h 27 min | 2:31 am MDT (08:31 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 75 kt | +61 kt | -36 °C | 59 kt | 5 h 55 min | 2:59 am MDT (08:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 69 kt | +53 kt | -43 °C | 67 kt | 5 h 13 min | 2:17 am MDT (08:17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLN | used from 0 nm out; 61 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 150 nm out; 54 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 299 nm out; 25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLN Helena, MT | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots | 1 mi | 900 ft | 3,877 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
| BTM Butte, MT | 40 nm out, 22 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, overcast at 3,100 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 2 mi | 3,100 ft | 5,550 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| EKS Ennis, MT | 80 nm out, 14 nm east of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 16 knots, gusting to 21 | 1 mi | 300 ft | 5,432 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| RXE Rexburg, ID | 170 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,862 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 190 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 4,743 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| BMC Brigham City, UT | 299 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,229 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| OGD Ogden, UT | 329 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 4,472 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 8:54 pm MDT (02:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,550 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, 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SLC
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 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 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 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
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 SLC 6:52 pm MDT (00:52 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm MDT (01:19 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: Helena Regional, Salt Lake City International.