Midland International Air And Space Port to Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field MAF → ASE
493 nautical miles (567 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 334°, about 325° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (18,000 ft, a 11-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC). Right now MAF is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22; ASE is VFR, wind calm. 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 TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 266 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 256 to 345 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 197 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 last 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 10 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. 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 MAF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A333 at 38,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 3:23 am CDT (08:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 355 nm along the route, 10 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS085025/TM 0823/FL380/TP A333/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-15KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 25 nm east (085°) of ALS
- Time
- 08:23 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A333
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw +/-15KT zdvwc
- A320 at 31,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 1:58 am CDT (06:58 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 404 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB260040/TM 0658/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-10KT 100FT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (260°) of PUB
- Time
- 06:58 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc
- GLF6 at 47,000 ft, 6 nm west, 2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC): remarks: moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc. 414 nm along the route, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU105046/TM 0747/FL470/TP GLF6/RM MOD MTW +/-1500FPM. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 46 nm east (105°) of HBU
- Time
- 07:47 UTC
- Height
- at 47,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Remarks
- moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 36 nm east, 2:42 am CDT (07:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-7KT zdvwc. 434 nm along the route, 36 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB280055/TM 0742/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-7KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 55 nm west (280°) of PUB
- Time
- 07:42 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw +/-7KT zdvwc
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 6 forecast points nearest it (INK, LBB, ROW, TCC, ALS, GJT). 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 | 230° at 19 kt | −4 kt | 21 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 59 min | 7:40 am MDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | −4 kt | 20 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 59 min | 7:40 am MDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | −5 kt | 12 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 57 min | 7:38 am MDT (13:38 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −5 kt | 7 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 57 min | 7:38 am MDT (13:38 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −6 kt | 4 °C | 126 kt | 3 h 55 min | 7:36 am MDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | −8 kt | 0 °C | 128 kt | 3 h 51 min | 7:32 am MDT (13:32 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 40 kt | −10 kt | -5 °C | 130 kt | 3 h 48 min | 7:29 am MDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 44 kt | −11 kt | -8 °C | 131 kt | 3 h 46 min | 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 57 kt | −4 kt | -18 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 59 min | 7:40 am MDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 72 kt | −11 kt | -27 °C | 131 kt | 3 h 46 min | 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 70 kt | −2 kt | -36 °C | 122 kt | 4 h 02 min | 7:43 am MDT (13:43 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 61 kt | +1 kt | -48 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 09 min | 7:50 am MDT (13:50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INK | used from 0 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 220/17 21° | 230/12 14° | 210/13 7° | 220/29 -5° | 240/41 -14° | 230/43 -28° | 250/41 -38° | 250/33 -51° | |
| LBB | used from 49 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 220/25 21° | 230/20 15° | 220/20 7° | 230/36 -6° | 240/50 -15° | 240/59 -28° | 260/52 -37° | 260/45 -50° | |
| ROW | used from 99 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 230/12 | 230/17 13° | 220/30 7° | 230/41 -5° | 240/52 -17° | 230/66 -28° | 240/63 -38° | 240/60 -50° | |
| TCC | used from 148 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| ALS | used from 296 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| GJT | used from 443 nm out; 91 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAF Midland, TX | departure | VFR | from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 2,872 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
| GNC Seminole, TX | 49 nm out, 1 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,314 ft | 09:10 UTC |
| PRZ Portales, NM | 148 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | no report just now | 4,077 ft | ||||
| TCC Tucumcari, NM | 207 nm out, 24 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,064 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| AXX Angel Fire, NM | 305 nm out, 15 nm west of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 8,379 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 374 nm out, 10 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| ANK Salida, CO | 434 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,523 ft | 09:15 UTC |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 453 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 7,950 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| ASE Aspen, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 2:53 am MDT (08:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,379 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ASE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC)
Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ASE
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
The forecast for MAF, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 MAF 7:19 pm CDT (00:19 UTC), at ASE 6:31 pm MDT (00:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm MDT (00:58 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: Midland International Air And Space Port, Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field.