John Wayne/Orange County to Garden City Regional SNA → GCK
871 nautical miles (1,003 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 068°, about 056° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 63-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SNA is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 7 knots; GCK is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 11 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
- SIGMET 9W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 327 to 347 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 9W VALID UNTIL 0355Z AZ FROM 20S TBC-30S INW-10E PHX-60SW DRK-30WNW DRK-20S TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- SIGMET 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 495 to 733 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO NM FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 79 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 168 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 79 to 297 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 188 to 406 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 228 to 327 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 228 to 743 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 475 to 654 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 564 to 703 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 594 to 604 nm out.
- 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 last 119 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 SNA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 49 nm north, 4:57 pm PDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 475 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 19 nm northwest, 5:13 pm PDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 59 nm along the route, 19 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- B737 at 6,400 ft, 17 nm northwest, 6:30 pm PDT (01:30 UTC): a broken layer from 3,300 ft to 6,400 ft. At the departure end, 17 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV LGB/TM 0130/FL064/TP B737/SK BKN033-TOP064
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- over LGB
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 6,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops 6,400 ft
- A20N at 5,300 ft, 0 nm northeast, 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): a broken layer from 4,300 ft to 5,300 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SNA UA /OV SNA/TM 0100/FL053/TP A20N/SK BKN043-TOP053
- Report
- a routine report filed through SNA
- Where
- over SNA
- Time
- 01:00 UTC
- Height
- at 5,300 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,300 ft, tops 5,300 ft
- B739 at 4,000 ft, 40 nm northwest, 5:32 pm PDT (00:32 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 40 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUR UA /OV BUR/TM 0032/FL040/TP B739/SK OVC040
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUR
- Where
- over BUR
- Time
- 00:32 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- A21B at 4,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 5:11 pm PDT (00:11 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L. At the departure end, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 0011/FL040/TP A21B/SK BKN-BASE040/RM DURD RY25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over LAX
- Time
- 00:11 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21B
- Sky
- BKN-BASE040
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L
- E75S at 5,000 ft, 16 nm west, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 16 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV LGB180003/TM 0000/FL050/TP E75S/SK OVC43-TOP050
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- 3 nm south (180°) of LGB
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Sky
- OVC43-TOP050
- B739 at 3,400 ft, 23 nm northwest, 4:55 pm PDT (23:55 UTC): overcast above 5,400 ft, remarks: bases 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV 10 E LAX/TM 2355/FL034/TP B739/SK OVC054/RM BASES 035
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- 10 east lax
- Time
- 23:55 UTC
- Height
- at 3,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 5,400 ft
- Remarks
- bases 3,500 ft
- SLG4 at 3,000 ft, 24 nm northwest, 6:33 pm PDT (01:33 UTC): scattered clouds above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EMT UA /OV EMT070006/TM 0133/FL030/TP SLG4/SK SCT040
- Report
- a routine report filed through EMT
- Where
- 6 nm east (070°) of EMT
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SLG4
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 4,000 ft
- A21N at 2,000 ft, 16 nm northwest, 6:06 pm PDT (01:06 UTC): remarks: ils 25L haze below the ceiling. At the departure end, 16 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX070030/TM 0106/FL020/TP A21N/SK TOPS068 BASES040/RM ILS 25L - HZ BELOW THE CEILING
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- 30 nm east (070°) of LAX
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- TOPS068 BASES040
- Remarks
- ils 25L haze below the ceiling
- E170 at 3,500 ft, 42 nm south, 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 UTC): remarks: B035. At the departure end, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRQ UA /OV CRQ/TM 0159/FL035/TP E170/RM B035
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRQ
- Where
- over CRQ
- Time
- 01:59 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Remarks
- B035
- C172 at 7,200 ft, 38 nm southeast, 6:06 pm PDT (01:06 UTC): overcast from 7,200 ft to 9,000 ft. 277 nm along the route, 38 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PRC UA /OV 6NE PRC/TM 0106/FL072/TP C172/SK OVC072-TOP090
- Report
- a routine report filed through PRC
- Where
- 6NE prc
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 7,200 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- overcast from 7,200 ft, tops 9,000 ft
- PC12 at 14,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, remarks: zab/fdcs. 287 nm along the route, 37 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FLG UA /OV FLG210030/TM 0103/FL140/TP PC12/TA UNK/IC LGT RIME/RM ZAB/FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through FLG
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (210°) of FLG
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- UNK
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- zab/fdcs
- G280 at 45,000 ft, 14 nm south, 4:44 pm PDT (23:44 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 386 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
INW UA /OV INW015040/TM 2344/FL450/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through INW
- Where
- 40 nm north (015°) of INW
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
5 more routine reports are on the map.
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 7 forecast points nearest it (ONT, BLH, PRC, FMN, ALS, PUB, GCK). 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 28 kt | −21 kt | 10 °C | 141 kt | 6 h 11 min | 3:19 am CDT (08:19 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −23 kt | 8 °C | 143 kt | 6 h 05 min | 3:13 am CDT (08:13 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −26 kt | 4 °C | 146 kt | 5 h 58 min | 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −30 kt | 0 °C | 150 kt | 5 h 48 min | 2:56 am CDT (07:56 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | −34 kt | -4 °C | 154 kt | 5 h 39 min | 2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 45 kt | −38 kt | -8 °C | 158 kt | 5 h 31 min | 2:39 am CDT (07:39 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 46 kt | −39 kt | -9 °C | 159 kt | 5 h 29 min | 2:37 am CDT (07:37 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 54 kt | −49 kt | -20 °C | 169 kt | 5 h 09 min | 2:17 am CDT (07:17 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 67 kt | −61 kt | -29 °C | 181 kt | 4 h 49 min | 1:57 am CDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 67 kt | −63 kt | -35 °C | 183 kt | 4 h 46 min | 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | −55 kt | -46 °C | 175 kt | 4 h 59 min | 2:07 am CDT (07:07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT | used from 0 nm out; 17 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -44° |
| BLH | used from 99 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| PRC | used from 198 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 396 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 545 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 693 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 792 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 4,300 ft | 55 ft | 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC) |
| RIV Riverside, CA | 30 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 1,536 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| TNP Twentynine Palms, CA | 99 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,888 ft | ||||
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 188 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 707 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 317 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (220°) at 16 knots, gusting to 30 | 6 mi | 1,200 ft | 7,014 ft | 01:57 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 505 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 5,506 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 693 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| JHN Johnson City, KS | 822 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,325 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GCK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for GCK
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SNA, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 188 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SNA 6:21 pm PDT (01:21 UTC), at GCK 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GCK is before sunrise there (7:48 am CDT (12:48 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: John Wayne/Orange County, Garden City Regional.