Plan a flight · Sun 11:57 pm MDT (05:57 UTC)

Rifle Garfield County to Charlotte/Douglas International RIL → CLT

1,299 nautical miles (1,494 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 093°, about 083° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 48-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:41 am EDT (13:41 UTC). Right now RIL is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots; CLT is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 7 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

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 38,000 ft. Over the first 220 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 first 20 nm of the route.
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 route from 230 to 689 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 969 to 1219 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1099 to 1219 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 1179 to 1269 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the last 100 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

urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 16 nm south, 10:30 pm MDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. At the departure end, 16 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
```
Report
an urgent report filed through ASE
Where
over ASE
Time
04:30 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Remarks
low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
BE20 at 16,000 ft, 0 nm east, 9:28 pm MDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIL
Where
over RIL
Time
03:28 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Temperature
−3 °C
Turbulence
light chop
Icing
light rime
Remarks
ZDVWC-11
UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 23 nm south, 9:11 pm MDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. At the departure end, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2479 3910N 10753W 0311 F360 231/049KT TB SMTH IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
E170 at 22,500 ft, 18 nm south, 11:06 pm MDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 100 nm along the route, 18 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
Time
05:06 UTC
Height
at 22,500 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
A320 descending, 27 nm north, 9:19 pm MDT (03:19 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 140 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0319/FLDURD/TP A320/TB NEG BLO 100
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
over DEN
Time
03:19 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
no below 10,000 ft
B738 descending, 14 nm southwest, 9:15 pm MDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 1149 nm along the route, 14 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0315/FLDURD/TP B738/RM MULTIPLE LAYERS FROM 052-047 OVC AT 023
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
over KTYS
Time
03:15 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B738
Remarks
multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft

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 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 12 forecast points nearest it (GJT, DEN, GLD, GCK, SLN, MKC, SGF, COU, CGI, BNA, TYS, GSP). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
3,500 ft	240° at 22 kt	−18 kt		138 kt	9 h 25 min	11:22 am EDT (15:22 UTC)
5,500 ft	250° at 22 kt	−20 kt	21 °C	140 kt	9 h 17 min	11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC)
7,500 ft	250° at 20 kt	−19 kt	14 °C	139 kt	9 h 21 min	11:18 am EDT (15:18 UTC)
9,500 ft	260° at 18 kt	−19 kt	11 °C	139 kt	9 h 21 min	11:18 am EDT (15:18 UTC)
11,500 ft	270° at 18 kt	−18 kt	7 °C	138 kt	9 h 25 min	11:22 am EDT (15:22 UTC)
13,500 ft	270° at 19 kt	−19 kt	3 °C	139 kt	9 h 21 min	11:18 am EDT (15:18 UTC)
15,500 ft	270° at 20 kt	−21 kt	-1 °C	141 kt	9 h 13 min	11:10 am EDT (15:10 UTC)
17,500 ft	260° at 22 kt	−22 kt	-6 °C	142 kt	9 h 09 min	11:06 am EDT (15:06 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	260° at 22 kt	−23 kt	-7 °C	143 kt	9 h 05 min	11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	260° at 26 kt	−26 kt	-19 °C	146 kt	8 h 54 min	10:51 am EDT (14:51 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	270° at 40 kt	−41 kt	-31 °C	161 kt	8 h 04 min	10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	270° at 46 kt	−48 kt	-38 °C	168 kt	7 h 44 min	9:41 am EDT (13:41 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 42 kt	−44 kt	-49 °C	164 kt	7 h 55 min	9:52 am EDT (13:52 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
GJT	used from 0 nm out; 66 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°
DEN	used from 50 nm out; 71 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°
GLD	used from 200 nm out; 56 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°
GCK	used from 350 nm out; 76 nm from the line		220/48 21°	230/37 14°	250/30 8°	230/37 -6°	240/37 -20°	240/69 -28°	250/67 -37°	260/58 -48°
SLN	used from 400 nm out; 47 nm from the line	210/53	230/41 20°	240/26 14°	230/16 8°	240/25 -7°	240/35 -19°	250/61 -30°	260/65 -38°	260/56 -49°
MKC	used from 549 nm out; 62 nm from the line	220/44	250/28 18°	250/18 13°	240/12 6°	280/24 -6°	240/34 -18°	260/47 -30°	260/51 -40°	270/58 -50°
SGF	used from 649 nm out; 48 nm from the line	230/33	230/28 15°	250/20 13°	240/18 7°	250/20 -6°	250/24 -17°	280/42 -31°	280/49 -40°	290/46 -51°
COU	used from 699 nm out; 58 nm from the line	230/31	230/30 15°	260/16 11°	270/14 6°	260/24 -6°	270/27 -18°	270/37 -32°	280/49 -41°	290/56 -51°
CGI	used from 799 nm out; 41 nm from the line	240/20	270/15 15°	280/15 11°	300/13 6°	290/20 -6°	280/24 -18°	300/34 -32°	300/47 -41°	310/49 -51°
BNA	used from 949 nm out; 54 nm from the line	310/20	340/20 17°	330/24 10°	340/22 5°	330/26 -6°	340/29 -18°	330/52 -33°	320/62 -41°	340/45 -50°
TYS	used from 1099 nm out; 26 nm from the line	320/20	340/18 11°	340/32 9°	340/36 4°	330/37 -7°	330/38 -19°	330/50 -34°	330/53 -38°	330/44 -48°
GSP	used from 1199 nm out; 44 nm from the line	320/22	340/19 13°	320/18 8°	310/24 5°	300/34 -7°	300/36 -18°	290/30 -33°	300/32 -39°	320/42 -49°

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: 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)
EGE Eagle, CO	40 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet	from the west (280°) at 10 knots, gusting to 15	10+ mi	9,000 ft	6,547 ft	04:56 UTC
APA Denver, CO	130 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	5,884 ft	05:53 UTC
OEL Oakley, KS	320 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22	10+ mi	none	3,045 ft	05:55 UTC
SLN Salina, KS	469 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	none	1,288 ft	04:53 UTC
BUM Butler, MO	629 nm out, 5 nm north of the line	no report just now				893 ft
TBN Fort Leonard Wood, MO	739 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	1,159 ft	04:55 UTC
PAH Paducah, KY	899 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	410 ft	00:00 UTC
HVC Hopkinsville, KY	969 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line	VFR	calm	9 mi	none	563 ft	05:35 UTC
TYS Knoxville, TN	1149 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,000 ft	986 ft	05:53 UTC
AVL Asheville, NC	1219 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,800 feet	from the north (360°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	2,800 ft	2,163 ft	05:12 UTC
CLT Charlotte, NC	destination	VFR	from the west (260°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	747 ft	1:52 am EDT (05:52 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At CLT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:41 am EDT (13:41 UTC)

Wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for CLT

From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for RIL, the departure

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

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 24 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 20 nm from the route, 1009 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME

Daylight

Sunset at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at CLT 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm EDT (23:18 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

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Charlotte/Douglas International.