Eppley Airfield to Rifle Garfield County OMA → RIL
551 nautical miles (634 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 263°, about 261° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 26-knot headwind), arriving about 6:01 am MDT (12:01 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now OMA is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots; RIL is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 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 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 first 325 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 256 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 207 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 last 108 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 OMA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 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 (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 | 230° at 42 kt | +36 kt | 21 °C | 84 kt | 6 h 34 min | 6:43 am MDT (12:43 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | +34 kt | 20 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 24 min | 6:33 am MDT (12:33 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +26 kt | 13 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 52 min | 6:01 am MDT (12:01 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +26 kt | 10 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 52 min | 6:01 am MDT (12:01 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +27 kt | 5 °C | 93 kt | 5 h 55 min | 6:04 am MDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +27 kt | 0 °C | 93 kt | 5 h 55 min | 6:04 am MDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +28 kt | -4 °C | 92 kt | 5 h 59 min | 6:08 am MDT (12:08 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 32 kt | +28 kt | -8 °C | 92 kt | 5 h 59 min | 6:08 am MDT (12:08 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 39 kt | +34 kt | -21 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 24 min | 6:33 am MDT (12:33 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 54 kt | +51 kt | -31 °C | 69 kt | 7 h 59 min | 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 58 kt | +57 kt | -36 °C | 63 kt | 8 h 45 min | 8:54 am MDT (14:54 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 54 kt | +53 kt | -46 °C | 67 kt | 8 h 13 min | 8:22 am MDT (14:22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OMA | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| GRI | used from 49 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| GLD | used from 197 nm out; 93 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° | |
| DEN | used from 344 nm out; 43 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° | ||
| GJT | used from 492 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OMA Omaha, NE | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 984 ft | 12:52 am CDT (05:52 UTC) |
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 39 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 108 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| EAR Kearney, NE | 148 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,131 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| CZD Cozad, NE | 187 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 2,503 ft | ||||
| IML Imperial, NE | 266 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,276 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| HEQ Holyoke, CO | 295 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,729 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| FMM Fort Morgan, CO | 364 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 4,595 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 433 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| GNB Granby, CO | 462 nm out, 12 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 8,207 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 512 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| RIL Rifle, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 11:53 pm MDT (05:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,207 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RIL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:01 am MDT (12:01 UTC)
Wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for RIL
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 7,000 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 4,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
The forecast for OMA, the departure
- 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, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 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 OMA 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 UTC), at RIL 6:35 pm MDT (00:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm MDT (01:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIL is before sunrise there (7:17 am MDT (13:17 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: Eppley Airfield, Rifle Garfield County.