Santa Barbara Municipal to Meadows Field SBA → BFL
72 nautical miles (83 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 032°, about 018° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (17,500 ft, a 1-knot headwind), arriving about 12:41 am PDT (07:41 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SBA is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots; BFL is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 6 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: 3 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: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 45 nm of the route.
Turbulence AIRMET in force: moderate turbulence from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft, over the last 45 nm of the route. No pilot has reported turbulence near the line in the last three hours. The government's turbulence forecast map ↗
Icing No icing warning in force along the route. No pilot has reported icing near the line in the last three hours. The freezing level is about 13,500 ft (from the winds-aloft temperatures), so icing is possible in cloud above that. The government's icing forecast map ↗
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 SBA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 2 forecast points nearest it (SBA, WJF). 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 | 350° at 7 kt | +5 kt | 115 kt | 38 min | 12:43 am PDT (07:43 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 12 kt | +5 kt | 4 °C | 115 kt | 38 min | 12:43 am PDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 17 kt | +7 kt | 5 °C | 113 kt | 38 min | 12:43 am PDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 23 kt | +9 kt | 4 °C | 111 kt | 39 min | 12:44 am PDT (07:44 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 30 kt | +8 kt | 4 °C | 112 kt | 39 min | 12:44 am PDT (07:44 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 310° at 31 kt | +6 kt | 0 °C | 114 kt | 38 min | 12:43 am PDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 31 kt | +3 kt | -4 °C | 117 kt | 37 min | 12:42 am PDT (07:42 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 31 kt | +1 kt | -9 °C | 119 kt | 36 min | 12:41 am PDT (07:41 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 31 kt | 0 | -10 °C | 120 kt | 36 min | 12:41 am PDT (07:41 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 31 kt | +4 kt | -23 °C | 116 kt | 37 min | 12:42 am PDT (07:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 59 kt | +34 kt | -38 °C | 86 kt | 50 min | 12:55 am PDT (07:55 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 340° at 61 kt | +35 kt | -47 °C | 85 kt | 51 min | 12:56 am PDT (07:56 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 40 kt | 0 | -51 °C | 120 kt | 36 min | 12:41 am PDT (07:41 UTC) |
Based on data from the 13th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 13th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA | used from 0 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 350/6 | 360/12 5° | 330/23 5° | 320/33 4° | 310/31 -10° | 320/32 -23° | 340/68 -38° | 340/71 -47° | 310/42 -52° |
| WJF | used from 45 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 300/18 4° | 320/18 3° | 310/29 3° | 290/32 -11° | 290/31 -24° | 330/44 -39° | 330/45 -46° | 290/38 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Santa Barbara, CA | departure | VFR | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | destination | VFR | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 509 ft | 11:54 pm PDT (06:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 509 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
The codes as issued, and in English, for every airport in the table
SBA Santa Barbara, CA
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KSBA 130653Z AUTO 32003KT 10SM CLR 12/06 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP140 T01170061 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KSBA
- the station, KSBA
- 130653Z
- observed 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 32003KT
- wind from the northwest at 3 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 12/06
- temperature 12 °C (54 °F), dew point 6 °C (43 °F)
- A2994
- altimeter setting 29.94 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP140
- sea-level pressure 1014.0 hPa
- T01170061
- temperature 11.7 °C (53 °F), dew point 6.1 °C (43 °F)
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KSBA 130534Z 1306/1406 VRB03KT P6SM SKC FM131700 17006KT P6SM SKC FM132100 25009KT P6SM SKC FM140200 23005KT P6SM SKC
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KSBA
- the station, KSBA
- 130534Z
- issued 10:34 pm PDT (05:34 UTC)
- 1306/1406 VRB03KT P6SM SKC
- valid from Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) to Tue 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- FM131700 17006KT P6SM SKC
- from Tue 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- FM132100 25009KT P6SM SKC
- from Tue 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- FM140200 23005KT P6SM SKC
- from Tue 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
BFL Bakersfield, CA
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KBFL 130654Z 35006KT 10SM CLR 15/04 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP142 T01500044 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KBFL
- the station, KBFL
- 130654Z
- observed 11:54 pm PDT (06:54 UTC)
- 35006KT
- wind from the north at 6 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 15/04
- temperature 15 °C (59 °F), dew point 4 °C (39 °F)
- A2996
- altimeter setting 29.96 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP142
- sea-level pressure 1014.2 hPa
- T01500044
- temperature 15 °C (59 °F), dew point 4.4 °C (40 °F)
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KBFL 130520Z 1306/1406 VRB06KT P6SM SCT250
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KBFL
- the station, KBFL
- 130520Z
- issued 10:20 pm PDT (05:20 UTC)
- 1306/1406 VRB06KT P6SM SCT250
- valid from Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) to Tue 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
At BFL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:41 am PDT (07:41 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BFL
- From Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for SBA, the departure
- From Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
BFL: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KBFL 130520Z 1306/1406 VRB06KT P6SM SCT250
SBA: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KSBA 130534Z 1306/1406 VRB03KT P6SM SKC FM131700 17006KT P6SM SKC FM132100 25009KT P6SM SKC FM140200 23005KT P6SM SKC
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Notices to air missions closures and things out of service at both ends; airspace, navigation aids and obstructions near the line
SBA: 11 notices in force, 1 starting within a week. all of them, grouped →
- closed Taxiway E between taxiway E1 and taxiway E2 closed until Tue 13 Oct, 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC) · SBA 10/045
as issued
!SBA 10/045 SBA TWY E BTN TWY E1 AND TWY E2 CLSD 2610130130-2610131400
- closed Taxiway E2 east of taxiway E closed until Thu 31 Dec, 5:00 pm PST (01:00 UTC) · SBA 01/053
as issued
!SBA 01/053 SBA TWY E2 EAST OF TWY E CLSD 2601050605-2701010100
BFL: 7 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
6 notices near the line (airspace and special activity within 25 nm, navigation aids within 25 nm, obstructions within 5 nm):
- Obstruction Pole lights (ASN 2025-AWP-14861-OE) 35°18′N 118°59′W (0.8 nautical miles south L45) 490 ft (120 ft above ground level) out of service until Fri 24 Sep 2027, 4:59 pm PDT (23:59 UTC) · 63 nm along the route, 8 nm off the line · L45 04/016
as issued
!RIU 04/016 L45 OBST POLE LGT (ASN 2025-AWP-14861-OE) 351844N1185943W (0.8NM S L45) 490FT (120FT AGL) U/S 2604012123-2709242359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1016437) 35°31′N 119°06′W (4.3 nautical miles ENE MIT) 797.2FT (206.7FT above ground level) out of service until Fri 30 Oct, 4:59 pm PDT (23:59 UTC) · 72 nm along the route, 6 nm off the line · MIT 08/176
as issued
!RIU 08/176 MIT OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1016437) 353120.00N1190622.00W (4.3NM ENE MIT) 797.2FT (206.7FT AGL) U/S 2608300434-2610302359
- Obstruction Pole lights (ASN 2025-AWP-14862-OE) 35°18′N 118°59′W (0.8 nautical miles SSE L45) 508 ft (140 ft above ground level) out of service until Fri 24 Sep 2027, 4:59 pm PDT (23:59 UTC) · 72 nm along the route, 8 nm off the line · L45 04/015
as issued
!RIU 04/015 L45 OBST POLE LGT (ASN 2025-AWP-14862-OE) 351846N1185931W (0.8NM SSE L45) 508FT (140FT AGL) U/S 2604012121-2709242359
- Airspace unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as 2 nautical miles radius of 35°07′N 119°23′W (2.8 nautical miles east L17) the surface-400 ft above ground level daily 12:00 am PDT to 6:00 pm PDT until Sat 2 Jan, 5:00 pm PST (01:00 UTC) · Daily:0700-0100~DLY 12:00 am PDT to 6:00 pm PDT · 45 nm along the route, 7 nm off the line · L17 06/069
as issued
!RIU 06/069 L17 AIRSPACE UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2NM RADIUS OF 350742N1192349W (2.8NM E L17) SFC-400FT AGL DLY 0700-0100 2606090700-2701030100
- Airspace unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as 1 nautical miles radius of FLW073025 (4.7 nautical miles ESE L17) the surface-1,600 ft until further notice · 45 nm along the route, 7 nm off the line · L17 01/096
as issued
!RIU 01/096 L17 AIRSPACE UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 1NM RADIUS OF FLW073025 (4.7NM ESE L17) SFC-1600FT 1701161720-PERM
- Airspace unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as.5 nautical miles radius of L62 the surface-1,200 ft above ground level Saturdays Sundays Wednesdays Fridays 7:00 am PDT to 7:00 pm PDT until Sat 31 Oct, 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC) · Saturdays Sundays Wednesdays Fridays · 54 nm along the route, 15 nm off the line · L62 07/139
as issued
!RIU 07/139 L62 AIRSPACE UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS .5NM RADIUS OF L62 SFC-1200FT AGL SAT SUN WED FRI 1400-0200 2607251400-2611010200
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked 2 minutes ago. The FAA has so far issued eFlight its test feed, which misses some notices (checked against the FAA's own search on 12 October: about a third missing at Santa Barbara and Burbank, none at Atlanta or Las Vegas); the request for the full feed is with the FAA. Times are local to the field. This is for planning; the legal briefing comes from Flight Service or the FAA's own tools.
Daylight
Sunset at SBA 6:26 pm PDT (01:26 UTC), at BFL 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm PDT (01:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BFL is before sunrise there (7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times.
The wind over the route live wind map, from Windy.com · drag the time bar for the coming hours; the level menu changes the height
Colours show wind speed, the moving lines its direction, at the surface unless you pick a height. Map and forecast by Windy.com; a second opinion beside the government's winds-aloft table above.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads · the turbulence and icing forecasts: turbulence ↗ · icing ↗
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: Santa Barbara Municipal, Meadows Field.