Kansas City International to Bozeman Yellowstone International MCI → BZN
822 nautical miles (946 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 304°, about 302° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 37 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC). Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22; BZN is IFR, wind from the south (190°) 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 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 last 585 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 198 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 59 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 MCI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 descending, 1 nm northwest, 9:55 am CDT (14:55 UTC): light turbulence up to 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 1 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MCI UA /OV MCI010002/TM 1455/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT TURB 015-SFC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MCI
- Where
- 2 nm north (010°) of MCI
- Time
- 14:55 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light turbulence from 1,500 ft to the surface
- GLF4 at 38,000 ft, 20 nm northeast, 10:30 am CDT (15:30 UTC): light chop turbulence. 69 nm along the route, 20 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AFK UA /OV PWE090025/TM 1530/FL380/TP GLF4/TB CONS LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through AFK
- Where
- 25 nm east (090°) of PWE
- Time
- 15:30 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- B38M descending, 0 nm northwest, 11:21 am CDT (16:21 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 1621/FLDURD/TP B38M/SK 048
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 16:21 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- at 4,800 ft
- GLF4 descending, 0 nm northwest, 8:48 am CDT (13:48 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 1348/FLDURD/TP GLF4/SK 047
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 13:48 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Sky
- at 4,700 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 8 forecast points nearest it (MKC, OMA, GRI, ONL, BFF, RAP, BIL, DLN). 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 | 270° at 14 kt | +12 kt | 13 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 37 min | 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 15 kt | +13 kt | 14 °C | 107 kt | 7 h 41 min | 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 19 kt | +12 kt | 10 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 37 min | 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +12 kt | 5 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 37 min | 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | +12 kt | 2 °C | 108 kt | 7 h 37 min | 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 29 kt | +13 kt | -3 °C | 107 kt | 7 h 41 min | 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +13 kt | -8 °C | 107 kt | 7 h 41 min | 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 33 kt | +14 kt | -11 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 45 min | 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 42 kt | +20 kt | -24 °C | 100 kt | 8 h 13 min | 6:57 pm MDT (00:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 59 kt | +33 kt | -32 °C | 87 kt | 9 h 27 min | 8:11 pm MDT (02:11 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 62 kt | +36 kt | -37 °C | 84 kt | 9 h 47 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 61 kt | +35 kt | -45 °C | 85 kt | 9 h 40 min | 8:24 pm MDT (02:24 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 220/35 | 240/30 21° | 240/27 13° | 240/31 6° | 260/31 -7° | 250/43 -21° | 270/70 -28° | 280/72 -36° | 280/59 -49° |
| OMA | used from 50 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 210/23 | 240/34 20° | 230/40 14° | 220/43 7° | 240/38 -8° | 250/47 -21° | 270/70 -29° | 270/79 -36° | 270/68 -48° |
| GRI | used from 99 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 270/26 19° | 230/33 13° | 230/39 8° | 230/43 -9° | 240/55 -21° | 250/76 -28° | 260/84 -36° | 260/68 -47° | |
| ONL | used from 248 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 270/16 17° | 250/25 13° | 230/34 7° | 230/46 -9° | 240/57 -22° | 250/72 -31° | 250/87 -36° | 250/75 -46° | |
| BFF | used from 347 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 310/15 | 280/27 8° | 250/27 2° | 230/30 -12° | 240/52 -22° | 250/66 -32° | 240/78 -37° | 240/76 -43° | |
| RAP | used from 396 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 310/18 6° | 270/15 6° | 260/20 2° | 240/28 -11° | 240/42 -23° | 240/47 -35° | 230/47 -36° | 240/56 -44° | |
| BIL | used from 595 nm out; 113 nm from the line | L/V | 250/11 -1° | 240/20 -2° | 230/28 -15° | 220/28 -28° | 220/53 -34° | 220/55 -39° | 220/63 -44° | |
| DLN | used from 793 nm out; 77 nm from the line | L/V -3° | 170/16 -6° | 180/21 -18° | 190/27 -30° | 210/63 -33° | 210/62 -36° | 210/51 -42° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCI Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 1,027 ft | 10:53 am CDT (15:53 UTC) |
| STJ St Joseph, MO | 20 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| BIE Beatrice, NE | 109 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,323 ft | 16:35 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 188 nm out, 6 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| TIF Thedford, NE | 307 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 2,925 ft | 16:35 UTC |
| GRN Gordon, NE | 396 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 3,562 ft | 16:35 UTC |
| IEN Pine Ridge, SD | 416 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 3,332 ft | ||||
| ECS Newcastle, WY | 515 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,500 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 4,177 ft | 16:35 UTC |
| BYG Buffalo, WY | 614 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 3,200 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 4,970 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| RED Red Lodge, MT | 733 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | no report just now | 5,762 ft | ||||
| LVM Livingston, MT | 793 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,659 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 4,473 ft | 10:36 am MDT (16:36 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 BZN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 600 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for BZN
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- At times between Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC) and 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 400 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 600 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
The forecast for MCI, the departure
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 17 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 MCI 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at BZN 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:12 pm MDT (01:12 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: Kansas City International, Bozeman Yellowstone International.