Seattle Paine Field International to Billings Logan International PAE → BIL
577 nautical miles (664 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 098°, about 082° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 26-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:17 pm MDT (04:17 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PAE is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots; BIL is IFR, wind from the north (010°) at 14 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 W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W VALID UNTIL 0155Z MT WY FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 25,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 14,000 ft. Over the route from 119 to 348 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 378 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 318 nm of the route.
- 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 last 259 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 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 PAE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 14,000 ft, 20 nm southwest, 4:22 pm PDT (23:22 UTC): moderate turbulence from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 348 nm along the route, 20 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV 32S/TM 2322/FL140/TP E75L/TB MOD 140-210/RM DURC /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over 32S
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb zlc
- C172 at 5,500 ft, 45 nm south, 3:17 pm PDT (22:17 UTC): a trace of rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: zse. 189 nm along the route, 45 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUW UA /OV PUW250030/TM 2217/FL055/TP C172/TA 00/IC TRACE RIME/RM -ZSE
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUW
- Where
- 30 nm west (250°) of PUW
- Time
- 22:17 UTC
- Height
- at 5,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- trace rime
- Remarks
- zse
- B739 at 3,700 ft, 2 nm north, 2:58 pm PDT (21:58 UTC): overcast above 3,700 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 338 nm along the route, 2 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 2158/FL037/TP B739/SK OVC037/RM DURD ILS RY 12
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 21:58 UTC
- Height
- at 3,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 3,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent ils runway 12
- B738 at 24,000 ft, 32 nm southwest, 4:13 pm PDT (23:13 UTC): remarks: snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc. 448 nm along the route, 32 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN270030/TM 2313/FL240/TP B738/RM SN TOP FL 240 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BZN
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc
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 7 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, GEG, LWS, GPI, GTF, BIL). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 060° at 17 kt | +12 kt | -2 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 21 min | 11:41 pm MDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 060° at 16 kt | +12 kt | -4 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 21 min | 11:41 pm MDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 070° at 12 kt | +11 kt | -6 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 18 min | 11:38 pm MDT (05:38 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 110° at 5 kt | +6 kt | -7 °C | 114 kt | 5 h 04 min | 11:24 pm MDT (05:24 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 160° at 6 kt | +4 kt | -10 °C | 116 kt | 4 h 58 min | 11:18 pm MDT (05:18 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 170° at 9 kt | +4 kt | -14 °C | 116 kt | 4 h 58 min | 11:18 pm MDT (05:18 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 180° at 12 kt | +4 kt | -17 °C | 116 kt | 4 h 58 min | 11:18 pm MDT (05:18 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 180° at 13 kt | +3 kt | -18 °C | 117 kt | 4 h 56 min | 11:16 pm MDT (05:16 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 22 kt | −4 kt | -27 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 39 min | 10:59 pm MDT (04:59 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 35 kt | −9 kt | -37 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 28 min | 10:48 pm MDT (04:48 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 38 kt | −19 kt | -41 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 09 min | 10:29 pm MDT (04:29 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 36 kt | −26 kt | -44 °C | 146 kt | 3 h 57 min | 10:17 pm MDT (04:17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | used from 0 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 360/9 | 350/10 1° | 010/10 -5° | 030/20 -11° | 020/60 -17° | 010/86 -26° | 360/90 -40° | 010/68 -42° | 360/31 -43° |
| YKM | used from 50 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 030/16 | 020/18 0° | 030/30 -8° | 030/23 -13° | 020/40 -23° | 010/73 -29° | 010/54 -36° | 360/29 -37° | 330/16 -40° |
| GEG | used from 99 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 050/18 -2° | 060/19 -8° | L/V -11° | 160/11 -24° | 190/17 -31° | 200/19 -35° | 220/14 -37° | 250/11 -41° | |
| LWS | used from 249 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 010/5 | 050/14 -2° | 040/12 -6° | 160/7 -10° | 190/30 -22° | 200/54 -27° | 200/48 -35° | 210/40 -37° | 230/32 -41° |
| GPI | used from 298 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 060/19 -3° | 110/11 -8° | 130/6 -8° | 200/40 -19° | 190/58 -28° | 200/101 -39° | 220/73 -43° | 230/41 -43° | |
| GTF | used from 348 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 070/21 | 080/18 -6° | 120/5 -5° | 180/30 -14° | 200/53 -24° | 210/80 -38° | 220/83 -44° | 230/68 -46° | |
| BIL | used from 497 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 080/24 | 130/14 -1° | 180/33 0° | 210/43 -10° | 220/58 -21° | 200/55 -36° | 220/75 -44° | 240/83 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAE Everett, WA | departure | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 606 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
| EAT Wenatchee, WA | 90 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,000 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 10 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,248 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 129 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,188 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| GEG Spokane, WA | 189 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 2,385 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | 338 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 4 mi | 3,200 ft | 3,205 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HLN Helena, MT | 428 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: snow, freezing fog | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 0.5 mi | 1,300 ft | 3,877 ft | 00:06 UTC |
| HWQ Harlowton, MT | 517 nm out, 21 nm north of the line | no report just now | 4,311 ft | ||||
| BIL Billings, MT | destination | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north (010°) at 14 knots | 6 mi | 800 ft | 3,662 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,311 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BIL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:17 pm MDT (04:17 UTC)
Wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, light snow, mist, freezing fog, a broken layer at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for BIL
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 11 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain snow, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, light snow, mist, freezing fog, a broken layer at 500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 700 feet and more above
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 1,500 feet
The forecast for PAE, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 3 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 PAE 6:26 pm PDT (01:26 UTC), at BIL 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BIL is after sunset there (6:35 pm MDT (00:35 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: Seattle Paine Field International, Billings Logan International.