Kansas City International to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal MCI → COS
466 nautical miles (537 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 270°, about 268° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 1:01 pm MDT (19:01 UTC). Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots, gusting to 25; COS is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25. 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: 6 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 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 first 208 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 20 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
- urgent B763 at 2,000 ft, 21 nm south, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 40 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FOE UUA /OV 130003/TM 1157/FL020/TP B763/WV LLWS
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FOE
- Where
- wind from 130° at 3 knots
- Time
- 11:57 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Wind
- low-level wind shear
- urgent E75L at 6,600 ft, 0 nm southwest, 9:08 am CDT (14:08 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L. At the destination end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV COS/TM 1408/FL066/TP E75L/TB LGT/RM LLWS +25KTS DURC 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- over COS
- Time
- 14:08 UTC
- Height
- at 6,600 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L
- urgent C172 at 6,700 ft, 46 nm north, 7:54 am CDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. At the destination end, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1254/FL067/TP C172/RM LLWS +/- 10 KTS DURC
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:54 UTC
- Height
- at 6,700 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb
- urgent FA7X at 6,800 ft, 46 nm north, 7:40 am CDT (12:40 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R. At the destination end, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1240/FL068/TP FA7X/RM LLWS -40 KTS DURC RY 35R
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 6,800 ft
- Aircraft
- FA7X
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R
- urgent TBM7 at 100 ft, 45 nm north, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed. At the destination end, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA140001/TM 1230/FL001/TP TBM7/TB LGT CHOP/RM LLWS +-10KTS
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (140°) of APA
- Time
- 12:30 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- TBM7
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed
- B738 descending, 47 nm northwest, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. At the destination end, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40SW DEN/TM 1255/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40SW den
- Time
- 12:55 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate from 20,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- C172 at 9,500 ft, 14 nm north, 7:43 am CDT (12:43 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK348/005/TM 1243/FL095/TP C172/TB TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- BRK348/005
- Time
- 12:43 UTC
- Height
- at 9,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- turbulence moderate chop
- C172 at 200 ft, 47 nm north, 7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed. At the destination end, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UA /OV APA350001/TM 1235/FL002/TP C172/TB MOD TURB/RM LLWS +-15KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 12:35 UTC
- Height
- at 200 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed
- PC12 at 22,000 ft, 8 nm south, 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: no icing at FL200 zkcfdc xj. 89 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MHK UA /OV MHK/TM 1200/FL220/TP PC12/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM NEG ICING AT FL200 /ZKCFDC XJ
- Report
- a routine report filed through MHK
- Where
- over MHK
- Time
- 12:00 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- no icing at FL200 zkcfdc xj
- B737 at 17,000 ft, 25 nm north, 7:24 am CDT (12:24 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, vfr; clear up to 60,000 ft, remarks: not bad for denver. At the destination end, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170035/TM 1224/FL170/TP B737/SK VFR/WX SKC/TA UNK/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM NOT BAD FOR DENVER
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 35 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 12:24 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- vfr
- Weather
- clear sky
- Temperature
- UNK
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- not bad for denver
- C172 at 7,800 ft, 41 nm north, 8:57 am CDT (13:57 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UA /OV APA150006/TM 1357/FL078/TP C172/TB LGT-MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through APA
- Where
- 6 nm southeast (150°) of APA
- Time
- 13:57 UTC
- Height
- at 7,800 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- B737 descending, 49 nm north, 8:26 am CDT (13:26 UTC): light chop turbulence from 16,000 ft to 23,000 ft, wind 235° at 53 knots. At the destination end, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 25SW DEN/TM 1326/FLDURD/TP B737/WV 235/53/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 230-160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25SW den
- Time
- 13:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Wind
- 235/53
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop from 23,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- B737 at 13,000 ft, 0 nm southwest, 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): light turbulence. At the destination end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK082/11/TM 1300/FL130/TP B737/TB TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- BRK082/11
- Time
- 13:00 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- turbulence light
- UAL1735 at 19,000 ft, 50 nm northwest, 6:50 am CDT (11:50 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 237° at 58 knots. At the destination end, 50 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1735 3925N 10525W 1150 F190 237/058KT TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
1 more routine reports are on the map.
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 4 forecast points nearest it (MKC, SLN, GLD, PUB). 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 27 kt | +23 kt | 97 kt | 4 h 48 min | 1:01 pm MDT (19:01 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 30 kt | +28 kt | 21 °C | 92 kt | 5 h 04 min | 1:17 pm MDT (19:17 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 31 kt | +29 kt | 14 °C | 91 kt | 5 h 07 min | 1:20 pm MDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 35 kt | +32 kt | 10 °C | 88 kt | 5 h 18 min | 1:31 pm MDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 38 kt | +35 kt | 5 °C | 85 kt | 5 h 29 min | 1:42 pm MDT (19:42 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 39 kt | +35 kt | 0 °C | 85 kt | 5 h 29 min | 1:42 pm MDT (19:42 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 40 kt | +35 kt | -4 °C | 85 kt | 5 h 29 min | 1:42 pm MDT (19:42 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 41 kt | +36 kt | -8 °C | 84 kt | 5 h 33 min | 1:46 pm MDT (19:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 51 kt | +44 kt | -20 °C | 76 kt | 6 h 08 min | 2:21 pm MDT (20:21 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 77 kt | +75 kt | -29 °C | 45 kt | 10 h 21 min | 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 82 kt | +79 kt | -36 °C | 41 kt | 11 h 22 min | 7:35 pm MDT (01:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 78 kt | +78 kt | -48 °C | 42 kt | 11 h 06 min | 7:19 pm MDT (01:19 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; 32 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° |
| SLN | used from 50 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 210/26 | 250/36 22° | 240/39 14° | 240/38 7° | 240/42 -9° | 240/49 -20° | 260/75 -27° | 260/76 -36° | 270/71 -48° |
| GLD | used from 248 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/22 | 250/24 13° | 250/39 6° | 230/42 -8° | 230/55 -21° | 240/87 -30° | 240/96 -36° | 250/93 -48° | |
| PUB | used from 397 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 250/31 11° | 240/42 5° | 230/46 -7° | 230/59 -20° | 240/77 -30° | 230/94 -37° | 240/95 -49° |
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 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 20,000 ft | 1,027 ft | 8:53 am CDT (13:53 UTC) |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 40 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 9 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 89 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 13:52 UTC |
| CYW Clay Center, KS | 109 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,208 ft | ||||
| RCP Stockton, KS | 208 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,999 ft | ||||
| HLC Hill City, KS | 238 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR | from the west (260°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| OEL Oakley, KS | 288 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | none | 3,045 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| ITR Burlington, CO | 347 nm out, 15 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,218 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| LIC Limon, CO | 417 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 7:54 am MDT (13:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:01 pm MDT (19:01 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for COS
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 COS 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 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, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.
