Rifle Garfield County to Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field RIL → ASE
44 nautical miles (51 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 114°, about 104° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 38-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:27 pm MDT (02:27 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIL is VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots; ASE is VFR, wind calm. 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 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 whole route.
- 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 whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 0 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 RIL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 46 nm southwest, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 46 nm southwest 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
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 7:31 pm MDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 9 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 12 nm northeast, 5:48 pm MDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 35 nm along the route, 12 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 34 nm north, 6:09 pm MDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. At the departure end, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 12 nm north, 5:32 pm MDT (23:32 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-04. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR146023/TM 2332/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT /IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-04
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 23 nm southeast (146°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:32 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-04
- LJ60 at 15,000 ft, 31 nm southwest, 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. 26 nm along the route, 31 nm southwest 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
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 31 nm north, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 35 nm along the route, 31 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL359020/TM 2327/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm north (359°) of DBL
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- B738 at 32,000 ft, 39 nm northeast, 7:42 pm MDT (01:42 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 30,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 39 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG160014/TM 0142/FL320/TP B738/TB LGT-MOD BLO 300/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 14 nm south (160°) of RLG
- Time
- 01:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light to moderate below 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- SW4 at 20,000 ft, 41 nm south, 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-12. At the destination end, 41 nm south 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
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 1 forecast point nearest it (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 40 kt | −4 kt | 11 °C | 124 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 41 kt | −4 kt | 10 °C | 124 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 45 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 50 kt | −5 kt | 0 °C | 125 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 210° at 55 kt | −5 kt | -5 °C | 125 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 210° at 60 kt | −6 kt | -9 °C | 126 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 61 kt | −6 kt | -10 °C | 126 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 68 kt | −7 kt | -22 °C | 127 kt | 21 min | 8:31 pm MDT (02:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 57 kt | −15 kt | -29 °C | 135 kt | 20 min | 8:30 pm MDT (02:30 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 59 kt | −26 kt | -36 °C | 146 kt | 18 min | 8:28 pm MDT (02:28 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 66 kt | −38 kt | -46 °C | 158 kt | 17 min | 8:27 pm MDT (02:27 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; 59 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIL Rifle, CO | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 8,500 ft | 5,536 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC) |
| GWS Glenwood Springs, CO | 18 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 5,921 ft | ||||
| ASE Aspen, CO | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 7,837 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,837 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ASE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:27 pm MDT (02:27 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for ASE
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 24, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 13,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
The forecast for RIL, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- At times between Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 2,500 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 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 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 RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at ASE 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ASE is after sunset there (6:34 pm MDT (00:34 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: Rifle Garfield County, Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field.