Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field to Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field MSN → ASE
825 nautical miles (949 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 259°, about 262° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 24-knot headwind), arriving about 1:15 pm MDT (19:15 UTC). Right now MSN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 6 knots; ASE is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 5 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 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 route from 99 to 507 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 477 nm along 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 169 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 route from 686 to 705 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 119 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). 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 MSN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 descending, 5 nm south, 3:10 am CDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. 715 nm along the route, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B763 at 23,000 ft, 18 nm northwest, 5:26 am CDT (10:26 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 745 nm along the route, 18 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN278037/TM 1026/FL230/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 37 nm west (278°) of DEN
- Time
- 10:26 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 30 nm south, 3:14 am CDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 765 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 08:14 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- 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 8 forecast points nearest it (DBQ, MCW, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN, 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 | 250° at 34 kt | +34 kt | 23 °C | 86 kt | 9 h 36 min | 2:15 pm MDT (20:15 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 30 kt | +30 kt | 19 °C | 90 kt | 9 h 10 min | 1:49 pm MDT (19:49 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 25 kt | +25 kt | 13 °C | 95 kt | 8 h 41 min | 1:20 pm MDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 9 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 36 min | 1:15 pm MDT (19:15 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | +25 kt | 5 °C | 95 kt | 8 h 41 min | 1:20 pm MDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 28 kt | +27 kt | 0 °C | 93 kt | 8 h 52 min | 1:31 pm MDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 31 kt | +30 kt | -5 °C | 90 kt | 9 h 10 min | 1:49 pm MDT (19:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 33 kt | +32 kt | -8 °C | 88 kt | 9 h 22 min | 2:01 pm MDT (20:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 41 kt | +40 kt | -21 °C | 80 kt | 10 h 19 min | 2:58 pm MDT (20:58 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 52 kt | +53 kt | -32 °C | 67 kt | 12 h 19 min | 4:58 pm MDT (22:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 64 kt | +64 kt | -37 °C | 56 kt | 14 h 44 min | 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 64 kt | +65 kt | -47 °C | 55 kt | 15 h | 7:39 pm MDT (01:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 250/27 | 260/23 17° | 240/26 10° | 260/30 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/36 -21° | 270/41 -36° | 280/52 -41° | 290/67 -48° |
| MCW | used from 99 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 250/36 | 250/24 19° | 240/26 11° | 250/30 5° | 270/22 -9° | 260/30 -21° | 260/31 -36° | 280/53 -38° | 280/66 -48° |
| DSM | used from 199 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
| OMA | used from 248 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| GRI | used from 348 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| GLD | used from 497 nm out; 107 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 646 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| GJT | used from 795 nm out; 92 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN Madison, WI | departure | VFR | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 4:53 am CDT (09:53 UTC) |
| MRJ Mineral Point, WI | 40 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,170 ft | ||||
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 139 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| IFA Iowa Falls, IA | 179 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,137 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| MEY Mapleton, IA | 288 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,116 ft | ||||
| BVN Albion, NE | 397 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,806 ft | 10:15 UTC |
| BBW Broken Bow, NE | 467 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,546 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| LBF North Platte, NE | 517 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,777 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| HEQ Holyoke, CO | 596 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots | 9 mi | none | 3,729 ft | 10:15 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | 715 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| LXV Leadville, CO | 805 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 9,933 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| ASE Aspen, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,933 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, 1:15 pm MDT (19:15 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 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 MSN, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 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 MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 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: Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field, Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field.