Rapid City Regional to Denver International RAP → DEN
261 nautical miles (301 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 197°, about 189° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 16 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 10:04 pm MDT (04:04 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RAP is low IFR, wind from the east (090°) at 6 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 13 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: 5,736 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). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 126 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 RAP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 223 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 43 nm east, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 232 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 32 nm west, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 232 nm along the route, 32 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 28 nm west, 7:30 pm MDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 28 nm west 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
- B752 at 35,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 5:21 pm MDT (23:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 145 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CYS UA /OV CYS350045/TM 2321/FL350/TP B752/TB CONS LGT-MOD/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through CYS
- Where
- 45 nm north (350°) of CYS
- Time
- 23:21 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Turbulence
- continuous light to moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. 223 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 6 nm northwest, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 242 nm along the route, 6 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 30 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E55P at 38,000 ft, 48 nm south, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 48 nm south 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
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 3 nm south 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
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 44 nm south, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the destination end, 44 nm south 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
- A321 descending, 3 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 28 nm south, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. At the destination end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 3 nm south, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RAP, BFF, DEN). 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 | 120° at 22 kt | +5 kt | 12 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 16 min | 10:04 pm MDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 130° at 21 kt | +9 kt | 12 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 21 min | 10:09 pm MDT (04:09 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 180° at 27 kt | +26 kt | 14 °C | 94 kt | 2 h 47 min | 10:35 pm MDT (04:35 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 10 °C | 93 kt | 2 h 48 min | 10:36 pm MDT (04:36 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | +26 kt | 6 °C | 94 kt | 2 h 47 min | 10:35 pm MDT (04:35 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +26 kt | 1 °C | 94 kt | 2 h 47 min | 10:35 pm MDT (04:35 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +25 kt | -4 °C | 95 kt | 2 h 45 min | 10:33 pm MDT (04:33 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 31 kt | +25 kt | -8 °C | 95 kt | 2 h 45 min | 10:33 pm MDT (04:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 42 kt | +32 kt | -21 °C | 88 kt | 2 h 58 min | 10:46 pm MDT (04:46 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 52 kt | +41 kt | -35 °C | 79 kt | 3 h 18 min | 11:06 pm MDT (05:06 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 57 kt | +35 kt | -40 °C | 85 kt | 3 h 04 min | 10:52 pm MDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 56 kt | +30 kt | -46 °C | 90 kt | 2 h 54 min | 10:42 pm MDT (04:42 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 48 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| DEN | used from 194 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP Rapid City, SD | departure | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 3,203 ft | 7:42 pm MDT (01:42 UTC) |
| HSR Hot Springs, SD | 39 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 3,150 ft | ||||
| CDR Chadron, NE | 68 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,297 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| TOR Torrington, WY | 126 nm out, 13 nm west of the line | VFR | from the east (100°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,206 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | 136 nm out, 15 nm east of the line | VFR | from the east (100°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 232 nm out, 24 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:04 pm MDT (04:04 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for RAP, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 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 RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC), at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DEN is after sunset there (6:25 pm MDT (00:25 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: Rapid City Regional, Denver International.