Missoula Montana Airport to Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal MSO → SPS
1,050 nautical miles (1,208 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 132°, about 119° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 12-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSO is IFR, wind calm; SPS is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 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 first 300 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 20,000 ft. Over the first 150 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 130 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 400 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 400 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 180 to 690 nm out.
- 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 230 to 540 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 250 to 690 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 370 to 390 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 530 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 700 to 810 nm out.
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 MSO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- S22T at 15,000 ft, 8 nm west, 7:47 pm MDT (01:47 UTC): moderate rime icing above 15,000 ft, -5 °C. 240 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV DNW010020/TM 0147/FL150/TP S22T/TA M05/IC MOD RIME 150 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 20 nm north (010°) of DNW
- Time
- 01:47 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime at 15,000 ft zlc
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 12 nm southwest, 6:47 pm MDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 510 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 52 nm north (010°) of RLG
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- cosn moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 8:34 pm MDT (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 570 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 02:34 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 7:30 pm MDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 570 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 43 nm southwest, 8:05 pm MDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 580 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of FQF
- Time
- 02:05 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS1 at 3,700 ft, 1 nm southeast, 7:47 pm MDT (01:47 UTC): snow, rain, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0147/FL037/TP BCS1/SK 037/WX SN RA/RM DURD ILS RY 12
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 01:47 UTC
- Height
- at 3,700 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Sky
- at 3,700 ft
- Weather
- snow, rain
- Remarks
- during the descent ils runway 12
- C25B at 4,100 ft, 1 nm southeast, 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,100 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0036/FL041/TP C25B/SK OVC041/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 4,100 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Sky
- overcast from 4,100 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ils runway 12
- E75L descending, 34 nm northeast, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): remarks: had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground. 140 nm along the route, 34 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0104/FLDURD/TP E75L/RM HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AT 400-500FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground
- B737 descending, 34 nm northeast, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. 140 nm along the route, 34 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0028/FLDURD/TP B737/SK SCT080/WX 1/2SM SN FG/RM BROKE OUT ABOUT 100FT ABOVE MINS
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 8,000 ft
- Weather
- 1/2SM, snow, fog
- Remarks
- broke out about 100FT above mins
- A320 descending, 47 nm southwest, 6:54 pm MDT (00:54 UTC): overcast above 7,500 ft, remarks: braking action good during the descent runway 19. 240 nm along the route, 47 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC/TM 0054/FLUNKN/TP A320/SK OVC075/RM BRAKING ACTION GOOD DURD RY19
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- over JAC
- Time
- 00:54 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 7,500 ft
- Remarks
- braking action good during the descent runway 19
- CRJ2 at 9,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 6:35 pm MDT (00:35 UTC): light chop turbulence, vmc, remarks: occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft. 400 nm along the route, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV CPR215015/TM 0035/FL090/TP CRJ2/WX VMC/TB LGT CHOP/RM OCNL MOD TURB AT 150
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (215°) of CPR
- Time
- 00:35 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Weather
- visual conditions
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft
- C56X at 13,000 ft, 19 nm northeast, 7:33 pm MDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 490 nm along the route, 19 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAR UA /OV LAR/TM 0133/FL130/TP C56X/SK BASE160/TB OCNL CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAR
- Where
- over LAR
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- BASE160
- Turbulence
- occasional continuous light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B737 descending, 6 nm southwest, 8:29 pm MDT (02:29 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 590 nm along the route, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 02:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 descending, 6 nm southwest, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 590 nm along the route, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0123/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
5 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd 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 (DLN, LND, DEN, PUB, GLD, GCK, GAG, SPS). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | +3 kt | 9 °C | 117 kt | 8 h 58 min | 7:05 am CDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +1 kt | 7 °C | 119 kt | 8 h 49 min | 6:56 am CDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 8 h 28 min | 6:35 am CDT (11:35 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −3 kt | 0 °C | 123 kt | 8 h 32 min | 6:39 am CDT (11:39 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | 0 | -4 °C | 120 kt | 8 h 45 min | 6:52 am CDT (11:52 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | +3 kt | -8 °C | 117 kt | 8 h 58 min | 7:05 am CDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 35 kt | +3 kt | -9 °C | 117 kt | 8 h 58 min | 7:05 am CDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 42 kt | +1 kt | -21 °C | 119 kt | 8 h 49 min | 6:56 am CDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 56 kt | −3 kt | -30 °C | 123 kt | 8 h 32 min | 6:39 am CDT (11:39 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 61 kt | −6 kt | -36 °C | 126 kt | 8 h 20 min | 6:27 am CDT (11:27 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 57 kt | −12 kt | -46 °C | 132 kt | 7 h 57 min | 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLN | used from 0 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 090/6 -6° | 240/22 -4° | 210/34 -16° | 210/62 -25° | 210/66 -34° | 210/82 -36° | 220/77 -42° | ||
| LND | used from 200 nm out; 112 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| DEN | used from 450 nm out; 114 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| PUB | used from 650 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| GLD | used from 700 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| GCK | used from 750 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 220/48 21° | 230/37 14° | 250/30 8° | 230/37 -6° | 240/37 -20° | 240/69 -28° | 250/67 -37° | 260/58 -48° | |
| GAG | used from 850 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| SPS | used from 950 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSO Missoula, MT | departure | IFR Sky: a few clouds at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light snow, mist | calm | 2.5 mi | 1,900 ft | 3,205 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
| BTM Butte, MT | 90 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, overcast at 3,100 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 2 mi | 3,100 ft | 5,550 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| EKS Ennis, MT | 140 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 16 knots, gusting to 21 | 1 mi | 300 ft | 5,432 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| DUB Dubois, WY | 270 nm out, 18 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-southeast (110°) at 10 knots, gusting to 14 | 5 mi | 300 ft | 7,298 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| RIW Riverton, WY | 330 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,516 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| RWL Rawlins, WY | 430 nm out, 12 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,816 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| CFO Denver, CO | 600 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 19 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,515 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 730 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| HQG Hugoton, KS | 810 nm out, 9 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,134 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| HHF Canadian, TX | 900 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 2,396 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 960 nm out, 23 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| SPS Wichita Falls, TX | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 9:52 pm CDT (02:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,298 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SPS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SPS
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MSO, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, light snow, overcast at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 2,500 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light snow, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 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 MSO 6:54 pm MDT (00:54 UTC), at SPS 7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SPS is before sunrise there (7:36 am CDT (12:36 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: Missoula Montana Airport, Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal.