Shageluk Airport to Fairbanks International SHX → FAI
335 nautical miles (386 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 063°, about 048° magnetic at the departure end (variation 15E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 23 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 21-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:40 pm AKDT (06:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SHX is VFR, wind calm; FAI 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: 4 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
No SIGMET or AIRMET covers any part of this route right now.
Turbulence No turbulence warning in force along 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 below 7,500 ft, the lowest forecast height, so any cloud could carry ice. 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 SHX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 descending, 0 nm north, 5:34 pm AKDT (01:34 UTC): remarks: during the descent on final runway 20R multi scattered cloud layer field in sight 20NM out fai atct akfss. At the destination end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PAFA UA /OV PAFA /TM 0134 /FL000 /TP B737 /RM DURD ON FINAL RWY20R MULTI SCT CLD LYR FIELD IN SIGHT 20NM OUT FAI ATCT AKFSS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PAFA
- Where
- over PAFA
- Time
- 01:34 UTC
- Height
- at 0 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- during the descent on final runway 20R multi scattered cloud layer field in sight 20NM out fai atct akfss
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 3 forecast points nearest it (UNK, MCG, FAI). 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 | 170° at 9 kt | −3 kt | 123 kt | 2 h 43 min | 11:00 pm AKDT (07:00 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 190° at 11 kt | −6 kt | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 13 kt | −7 kt | -10 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 38 min | 10:55 pm AKDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 190° at 14 kt | −7 kt | -15 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 38 min | 10:55 pm AKDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 190° at 14 kt | −7 kt | -20 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 38 min | 10:55 pm AKDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 180° at 14 kt | −6 kt | -24 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 180° at 15 kt | −6 kt | -28 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 180° at 16 kt | −6 kt | -32 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 180° at 16 kt | −6 kt | -33 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 180° at 10 kt | −4 kt | -40 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 42 min | 10:59 pm AKDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 6 kt | −6 kt | -50 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:57 pm AKDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 12 kt | −13 kt | -57 °C | 133 kt | 2 h 31 min | 10:48 pm AKDT (06:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 22 kt | −21 kt | -54 °C | 141 kt | 2 h 23 min | 10:40 pm AKDT (06:40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNK | used from 0 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 150/13 | 160/12 -8° | 170/16 -15° | 170/16 -22° | 170/16 -33° | 200/17 -37° | 210/21 -50° | 210/27 -58° | 220/20 -55° |
| MCG | used from 49 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 180/11 | 190/13 -7° | 180/13 -14° | 180/16 -21° | 180/17 -33° | 150/9 -38° | 130/11 -49° | 150/10 -57° | 220/18 -54° |
| FAI | used from 197 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 160/5 | 200/11 -6° | 200/15 -13° | 200/11 -20° | 180/15 -32° | 190/11 -42° | 300/21 -51° | 290/31 -57° | 250/28 -54° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHX Shageluk, AK | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 feet, a broken layer at 3,900 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 78 ft | 8:02 pm AKDT (04:02 UTC) |
| MHM Minchumina, AK | 207 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,700 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 681 ft | 03:56 UTC |
| ENN Nenana, AK | 296 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 367 ft | 03:53 UTC |
| FAI Fairbanks, AK | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,600 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 20,000 ft | 439 ft | 7:53 pm AKDT (03:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 681 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
SHX Shageluk, AK
the observation as issued, and in English
SPECI PAHX 130402Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM -RA FEW021 BKN039 OVC055 04/04 A2955 RMK AO2 RAB0354 P0000
- SPECI
- a special observation, issued because the weather changed
- PAHX
- the station, PAHX
- 130402Z
- observed 8:02 pm AKDT (04:02 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 00000KT
- wind calm
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- -RA
- light rain
- FEW021
- a few clouds at 2,100 feet
- BKN039
- a broken layer at 3,900 feet
- OVC055
- overcast at 5,500 feet
- 04/04
- temperature 4 °C (39 °F), dew point 4 °C (39 °F)
- A2955
- altimeter setting 29.55 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- RAB0354
- rain began 7:54 pm AKDT (03:54 UTC)
- P0000
- a trace of precipitation in the last hour
MHM Minchumina, AK
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR PAMH 130356Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW047 BKN060 03/02 A2962 RMK AO2 SLP878 T00280022 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- PAMH
- the station, PAMH
- 130356Z
- observed 03:56 UTC on the 13th
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 00000KT
- wind calm
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- FEW047
- a few clouds at 4,700 feet
- BKN060
- a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 03/02
- temperature 3 °C (37 °F), dew point 2 °C (36 °F)
- A2962
- altimeter setting 29.62 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP878
- sea-level pressure 987.8 hPa
- T00280022
- temperature 2.8 °C (37 °F), dew point 2.2 °C (36 °F)
- $
- the station needs maintenance
ENN Nenana, AK
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR PANN 130353Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC015 03/02 A2963 RMK AO2 SLP042 T00330017 TSNO $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- PANN
- the station, PANN
- 130353Z
- observed 03:53 UTC on the 13th
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 00000KT
- wind calm
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- OVC015
- overcast at 1,500 feet
- 03/02
- temperature 3 °C (37 °F), dew point 2 °C (36 °F)
- A2963
- altimeter setting 29.63 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP042
- sea-level pressure 1004.2 hPa
- T00330017
- temperature 3.3 °C (38 °F), dew point 1.7 °C (35 °F)
- TSNO $
- the thunderstorm sensor is not working, the station needs maintenance
FAI Fairbanks, AK
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR PAFA 130353Z 00000KT 10SM FEW016 SCT070 BKN200 02/01 A2964 RMK AO2 SLP044 T00170011 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- PAFA
- the station, PAFA
- 130353Z
- observed 7:53 pm AKDT (03:53 UTC)
- 00000KT
- wind calm
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- FEW016
- a few clouds at 1,600 feet
- SCT070
- scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- BKN200
- a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- 02/01
- temperature 2 °C (36 °F), dew point 1 °C (34 °F)
- A2964
- altimeter setting 29.64 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP044
- sea-level pressure 1004.4 hPa
- T00170011
- temperature 1.7 °C (35 °F), dew point 1.1 °C (34 °F)
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF PAFA 130143Z 1302/1406 06003KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM130300 04003KT P6SM BKN050 FM131200 00000KT P6SM FEW004 BKN100
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- PAFA
- the station, PAFA
- 130143Z
- issued 5:43 pm AKDT (01:43 UTC)
- 1302/1406 06003KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030
- valid from Mon 6:00 pm AKDT (02:00 UTC) to Tue 10:00 pm AKDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- FM130300 04003KT P6SM BKN050
- from Mon 7:00 pm AKDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- FM131200 00000KT P6SM FEW004 BKN100
- from Tue 4:00 am AKDT (12:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
At FAI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:40 pm AKDT (06:40 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for FAI
- From Mon 6:00 pm AKDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm AKDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am AKDT (12:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
FAI: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF PAFA 130143Z 1302/1406 06003KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM130300 04003KT P6SM BKN050 FM131200 00000KT P6SM FEW004 BKN100
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/3002 Clear, AK 11 nm from the route, 296 nm along the route · security · ZAN
Notices to air missions closures and things out of service at both ends; airspace, navigation aids and obstructions near the line
SHX: no notice in force.
FAI: 73 notices in force. runway 02 closed all of them, grouped →
- closed Runway 02W/20W Waterlane closed until Fri 30 Apr, 1:00 am AKDT (09:00 UTC) · FAI 10/015
as issued
!FAI 10/015 FAI RWY 02W/20W WATERLANE CLSD 2610012343-2704300900
No airspace, navigation-aid or obstruction notice near the line.
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 SHX 7:28 pm AKDT (03:28 UTC), at FAI 6:36 pm AKDT (02:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm AKDT (03:25 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FAI is after sunset there (6:39 pm AKDT (02:39 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: Shageluk Airport, Fairbanks International.