Southwest Wyoming Regional to Rapid City Regional RKS → RAP
303 nautical miles (348 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 059°, about 046° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 40 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 61-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:40 am MDT (08:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RKS is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots; RAP is low IFR, wind from the east (080°) at 12 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 ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 166 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 273 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 234 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 107 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 10 to 98 nm out.
- 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 route from 20 to 283 nm out.
- 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 39 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 RKS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 30,000 ft, 1 nm southwest, 11:45 pm MDT (05:45 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 98 nm along the route, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIW UA /OV BOY126080/TM 0545/FL300/TP B38M/TB CONS MOD CHOP /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIW
- Where
- 80 nm southeast (126°) of BOY
- Time
- 05:45 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop zlc
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 4 forecast points nearest it (RKS, LND, BFF, RAP). 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 | 180° at 25 kt | −12 kt | 12 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 18 min | 3:18 am MDT (09:18 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 29 kt | −21 kt | 9 °C | 141 kt | 2 h 09 min | 3:09 am MDT (09:09 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | −27 kt | 10 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 04 min | 3:04 am MDT (09:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 35 kt | −31 kt | 5 °C | 151 kt | 2 h | 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −32 kt | 0 °C | 152 kt | 2 h | 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | −32 kt | -4 °C | 152 kt | 2 h | 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -9 °C | 151 kt | 2 h | 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -10 °C | 151 kt | 2 h | 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 39 kt | −37 kt | -22 °C | 157 kt | 1 h 56 min | 2:56 am MDT (08:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 44 kt | −42 kt | -31 °C | 162 kt | 1 h 52 min | 2:52 am MDT (08:52 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 56 kt | −55 kt | -37 °C | 175 kt | 1 h 44 min | 2:44 am MDT (08:44 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 60 kt | −61 kt | -45 °C | 181 kt | 1 h 40 min | 2:40 am MDT (08:40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RKS | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| LND | used from 49 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| BFF | used from 146 nm out; 117 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| RAP | used from 195 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RKS Rock Springs, WY | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, overcast at 4,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots | 7 mi | 4,100 ft | 6,764 ft | 12:54 am MDT (06:54 UTC) |
| CPR Casper, WY | 137 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 10 knots | 8 mi | none | 5,344 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| DGW Douglas, WY | 176 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,932 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| ECS Newcastle, WY | 254 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,177 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| CUT Custer, SD | 273 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,619 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east (080°) at 12 knots | 5 mi | 300 ft | 3,203 ft | 12:52 am MDT (06:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,764 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:40 am MDT (08:40 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- At times between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 7:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog, overcast at 200 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
The forecast for RKS, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 17 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet and more above
- From Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet and more above
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet and more above
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 RKS 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at RAP 6:12 pm MDT (00:12 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:41 pm MDT (00:41 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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: Southwest Wyoming Regional, Rapid City Regional.