Montrose Regional to Garden City Regional MTJ → GCK
340 nautical miles (391 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 094°, about 082° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 54-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:05 pm CDT (04:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MTJ is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 8 knots; GCK is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 11 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
- SIGMET 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm MDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 40 to 180 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO NM FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- 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 first 120 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 190 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 220 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 20 to 120 nm out.
- 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 last 110 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 MTJ.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- SW4 at 15,000 ft, 47 nm south, 7:39 pm MDT (01:39 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, freezing, rain, 0 °C, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. At the departure end, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CEZ UA /OV CEZ030030/TM 0139/FL150/TP SW4/SK BASE150/WX FZ RA/TA 00/TB CONS MOD/IC LGT RIME/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through CEZ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of CEZ
- Time
- 01:39 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Sky
- BASE150
- Weather
- freezing, rain
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 38 nm northwest, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 20 nm south, 5:44 pm MDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 50 nm along the route, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- LJ60 at 15,000 ft, 23 nm north, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): light to moderate icing from 16,500 ft to 19,000 ft, -13 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. 20 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MTJ UA /OV MTJ030030/TM 0028/FL150/TP LJ60/TA M13/IC LGT-MOD 190-165/RM DURD ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MTJ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of MTJ
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ60
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate from 19,000 ft to 16,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
- SW4 at 20,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 50 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV GUC/TM 0100/FL200/TP SW4/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over GUC
- Time
- 01:00 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- PRM1 at 41,000 ft, 46 nm south, 5:38 pm MDT (23:38 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 70 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS290035/TM 2338/FL410/TP PRM1/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm west (290°) of ALS
- Time
- 23:38 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 30 nm south, 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 90 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS330035/TM 0034/FL200/TP BE9L/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm northwest (330°) of ALS
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- E55P at 38,000 ft, 47 nm north, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. 130 nm along the route, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF200040/TM 0123/FL380/TP E55P/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm south (200°) of FQF
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-05
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 12 nm southwest, 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 130 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 49 nm north, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 140 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- B737 at 25,000 ft, 32 nm north, 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 140 nm along the route, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 4 nm east, 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 160 nm along the route, 4 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 4 forecast points nearest it (GJT, ALS, PUB, GCK). 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 | 210° at 30 kt | −12 kt | 16 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 35 min | 11:43 pm CDT (04:43 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | −14 kt | 14 °C | 134 kt | 2 h 32 min | 11:40 pm CDT (04:40 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −16 kt | 8 °C | 136 kt | 2 h 30 min | 11:38 pm CDT (04:38 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −19 kt | 3 °C | 139 kt | 2 h 27 min | 11:35 pm CDT (04:35 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | −23 kt | -2 °C | 143 kt | 2 h 23 min | 11:31 pm CDT (04:31 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 41 kt | −27 kt | -7 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 19 min | 11:27 pm CDT (04:27 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 42 kt | −28 kt | -8 °C | 148 kt | 2 h 18 min | 11:26 pm CDT (04:26 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 43 kt | −31 kt | -20 °C | 151 kt | 2 h 15 min | 11:23 pm CDT (04:23 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 67 kt | −52 kt | -30 °C | 172 kt | 1 h 59 min | 11:07 pm CDT (04:07 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 66 kt | −54 kt | -37 °C | 174 kt | 1 h 57 min | 11:05 pm CDT (04:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 57 kt | −50 kt | -48 °C | 170 kt | 2 h | 11:08 pm CDT (04:08 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 100 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 250 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTJ Montrose, CO | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,758 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC) |
| GUC Gunnison, CO | 50 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,679 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| ANK Salida, CO | 90 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 7,523 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| PUB Pueblo, CO | 160 nm out, 0 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 25 knots, gusting to 37 | 10+ mi | none | 4,729 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| LHX La Junta, CO | 210 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,228 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 250 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| ULS Ulysses, KS | 310 nm out, 24 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,071 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,679 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GCK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:05 pm CDT (04:05 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for GCK
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MTJ, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 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 MTJ 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at GCK 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GCK is after sunset there (7:11 pm CDT (00:11 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: Montrose Regional, Garden City Regional.