The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 10:52 am CDT (15:52 UTC)

Kansas City International to Grand Junction Regional MCI → GJT

642 nautical miles (739 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 273°, about 271° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 19-knot headwind), arriving about 4:13 pm MDT (22:13 UTC). Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 27; GJT is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (110°) at 12 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 return flight

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 217 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 277 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 217 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). Near the route, 523 nm along the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 79 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 20 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 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 MCI.

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

  • urgent C700 at 43,000 ft, 36 nm north, 10:25 am CDT (15:25 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: +-1400FT and 15KTS-ZDV. 346 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AKO UUA /OV AKO088045/TM 1525/FL430/TP C700/TB SEV MTW/RM +-1400FT AND 15KTS-ZDV
    Report
    an urgent report filed through AKO
    Where
    45 nm east (088°) of AKO
    Time
    15:25 UTC
    Height
    at 43,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C700
    Turbulence
    severe mtw
    Remarks
    +-1400FT and 15KTS-ZDV
  • urgent E75L at 6,600 ft, 32 nm south, 9:08 am CDT (14:08 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L. 464 nm along the route, 32 nm south 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, 15 nm north, 7:54 am CDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. 474 nm along the route, 15 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
  • B738 descending, 45 nm north, 10:20 am CDT (15:20 UTC): moderate turbulence from 12,000 ft to 18,000 ft. 435 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV 30NE DEN/TM 1520/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 180-120
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    30NE den
    Time
    15:20 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    B738
    Turbulence
    moderate from 18,000 ft to 12,000 ft
  • B38M at 12,000 ft, 24 nm north, 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft. 435 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN090025/TM 1407/FL120/TP B38M/TB MOD/RM 110-120
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    25 nm east (090°) of DEN
    Time
    14:07 UTC
    Height
    at 12,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B38M
    Turbulence
    moderate
    Remarks
    from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft
  • C172 at 7,500 ft, 12 nm north, 10:27 am CDT (15:27 UTC): moderate turbulence. 464 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    APA UA /OV APA100008/TM 1527/FL075/TP C172/TB CONT MOD
    Report
    a routine report filed through APA
    Where
    8 nm east (100°) of APA
    Time
    15:27 UTC
    Height
    at 7,500 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Turbulence
    continuous moderate
  • E55P at 8,000 ft, 37 nm south, 9:30 am CDT (14:30 UTC): moderate turbulence. 464 nm along the route, 37 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    COS UA /OV 5S COS/TM 1430/FL080/TP E55P/TB MOD
    Report
    a routine report filed through COS
    Where
    5S cos
    Time
    14:30 UTC
    Height
    at 8,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E55P
    Turbulence
    moderate
  • B737 at 21,000 ft, 48 nm north, 9:05 am CDT (14:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave a 30-knot gain of airspeed from 25,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent. 474 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DEN UA /OV DEN310025/TM 1405/FL210/TP B737/TB MOD TURB/RM MTN WAVE +30KTS 250-150 DURD
    Report
    a routine report filed through DEN
    Where
    25 nm northwest (310°) of DEN
    Time
    14:05 UTC
    Height
    at 21,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    moderate turbulence
    Remarks
    mountain wave a 30-knot gain of airspeed from 25,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent
  • B738 descending, 6 nm north, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. 494 nm along the route, 6 nm north 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
  • 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, 50 nm north, 10:30 am CDT (15:30 UTC): light chop turbulence. 49 nm along the route, 50 nm north 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
  • P46T at 27,000 ft, 34 nm south, 10:38 am CDT (15:38 UTC): light rime icing, -26 °C, remarks: zkcfdc xj. 59 nm along the route, 34 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    EMP UA /OV EMP360030/TM 1538/FL270/TP P46T/TA M26/IC LGT RIME/RM /ZKCFDC XJ
    Report
    a routine report filed through EMP
    Where
    30 nm north (360°) of EMP
    Time
    15:38 UTC
    Height
    at 27,000 ft
    Aircraft
    P46T
    Temperature
    −26 °C
    Icing
    light rime
    Remarks
    zkcfdc xj
  • C70 at 43,000 ft, 28 nm north, 10:24 am CDT (15:24 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 43,000 ft, remarks: mountain wave +-1400 +-15KTS-ZDVWC. 356 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AKO UA /OV AKO100045/TM 1524/FL430/TP C70/TB LGT-MOD 430/RM MTN WAVE +-1400 +-15KTS-ZDVWC-
    Report
    a routine report filed through AKO
    Where
    45 nm east (100°) of AKO
    Time
    15:24 UTC
    Height
    at 43,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C70
    Turbulence
    light to moderate at 43,000 ft
    Remarks
    mountain wave +-1400 +-15KTS-ZDVWC
  • P46T at 12,000 ft, 38 nm south, 9:15 am CDT (14:15 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 454 nm along the route, 38 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    COS UA /OV BRK150015/TM 1415/FL120/TP P46T/TB LGT-MOD/RM DURC
    Report
    a routine report filed through COS
    Where
    15 nm southeast (150°) of BRK
    Time
    14:15 UTC
    Height
    at 12,000 ft
    Aircraft
    P46T
    Turbulence
    light to moderate
    Remarks
    during the climb

13 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 5 forecast points nearest it (MKC, SLN, GLD, DEN, GJT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft230° at 27 kt+21 kt99 kt6 h 29 min4:21 pm MDT (22:21 UTC)
6,500 ft250° at 30 kt+27 kt21 °C93 kt6 h 54 min4:46 pm MDT (22:46 UTC)
8,500 ft230° at 24 kt+19 kt12 °C101 kt6 h 21 min4:13 pm MDT (22:13 UTC)
10,500 ft230° at 27 kt+22 kt8 °C98 kt6 h 33 min4:25 pm MDT (22:25 UTC)
12,500 ft240° at 31 kt+26 kt4 °C94 kt6 h 50 min4:42 pm MDT (22:42 UTC)
14,500 ft230° at 35 kt+29 kt-1 °C91 kt7 h 03 min4:55 pm MDT (22:55 UTC)
16,500 ft230° at 39 kt+31 kt-6 °C89 kt7 h 13 min5:05 pm MDT (23:05 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180230° at 41 kt+34 kt-9 °C86 kt7 h 28 min5:20 pm MDT (23:20 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240230° at 52 kt+42 kt-21 °C78 kt8 h 14 min6:06 pm MDT (00:06 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300240° at 74 kt+68 kt-29 °C52 kt12 h 21 min10:13 pm MDT (04:13 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340250° at 82 kt+76 kt-37 °C44 kt14 h 35 min12:27 am MDT (06:27 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390250° at 80 kt+76 kt-48 °C44 kt14 h 35 min12:27 am MDT (06:27 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
MKCused from 0 nm out; 33 nm from the line220/35240/30 21°240/27 13°240/31 6°260/31 -7°250/43 -21°270/70 -28°280/72 -36°280/59 -49°
SLNused from 49 nm out; 71 nm from the line210/26250/36 22°240/39 14°240/38 7°240/42 -9°240/49 -20°260/75 -27°260/76 -36°270/71 -48°
GLDused from 247 nm out; 53 nm from the line240/22250/24 13°250/39 6°230/42 -8°230/55 -21°240/87 -30°240/96 -36°250/93 -48°
DENused from 395 nm out; 52 nm from the line230/7 11°230/13 4°230/40 -9°230/48 -20°240/66 -32°240/88 -38°230/100 -47°
GJTused from 543 nm out; 74 nm from the line190/30 6°200/35 0°220/50 -13°220/69 -22°220/81 -30°230/84 -39°230/88 -47°

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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
MCI Kansas City, MO departure VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 27 10+ mi 25,000 ft 1,027 ft 9:53 am CDT (14:53 UTC)
TOP Topeka, KS 40 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots, gusting to 15 10+ mi none 881 ft 14:53 UTC
MHK Manhattan, KS 89 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots 10+ mi none 1,066 ft 14:52 UTC
CNK Concordia, KS 138 nm out, 9 nm north of the line VFR Weather: light rain from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 28 10+ mi none 1,488 ft 14:55 UTC
HLC Hill City, KS 237 nm out, 3 nm south of the line VFR from the west-southwest (250°) at 14 knots, gusting to 28 10+ mi none 2,238 ft 14:53 UTC
CBK Colby, KS 296 nm out, 2 nm east of the line VFR from the southwest (220°) at 14 knots 10+ mi none 3,188 ft 15:35 UTC
GLD Goodland, KS 326 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line VFR from the southwest (230°) at 15 knots 10+ mi none 3,657 ft 14:53 UTC
LIC Limon, CO 415 nm out, 6 nm south of the line VFR from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 10+ mi none 5,374 ft 14:55 UTC
APA Denver, CO 474 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet from the south (190°) at 9 knots 10+ mi none 5,884 ft 14:53 UTC
ASE Aspen, CO 563 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower VFR from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 7,837 ft 14:53 UTC
GWS Glenwood Springs, CO 583 nm out, 18 nm north of the line no report just now 5,921 ft
GJT Grand Junction, CO destination VFR Sky: overcast at 8,500 feet Weather: light rain from the east-southeast (110°) at 12 knots 10+ mi 8,500 ft 4,861 ft 8:53 am MDT (14:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,837 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At GJT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:13 pm MDT (22:13 UTC)

Wind from the southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet VFR

30% chance between Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads) marginal VFR

The whole forecast for GJT
  • From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 17 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
  • At times between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 18 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet and more above
  • From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
  • From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
  • From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
  • From Tue 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 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

  • 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 18 nm from the route, 494 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV

Daylight

Sunset at MCI 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:05 pm MDT (01:05 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 upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Plains
Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Rockies
Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
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: Kansas City International, Grand Junction Regional.