Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal to Idaho Falls Regional SPS → IDA
853 nautical miles (982 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 316°, about 311° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 1-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:15 am MDT (10:15 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SPS is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots; IDA is marginal VFR, wind from the north (350°) 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: 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 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 238 to 317 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 327 to 813 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 347 to 794 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 446 to 774 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 486 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 248 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 238 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 645 to 694 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 10 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 SPS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 8 nm southwest, 9:13 pm CDT (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. 427 nm along the route, 8 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- 10 west cos
- Time
- 02:13 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B407
- Turbulence
- mdt-sev
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 49 nm southwest, 9:21 pm CDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 407 nm along the route, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- B738 at 18,000 ft, 11 nm southwest, 9:02 pm CDT (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. 446 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-41
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 8 nm northeast, 9:05 pm CDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 476 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of FQF
- Time
- 02:05 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 32 nm northeast, 9:34 pm CDT (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 486 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 02:34 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 32 nm northeast, 8:30 pm CDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 486 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 47 nm northeast, 7:47 pm CDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 536 nm along the route, 47 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 52 nm north (010°) of RLG
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- cosn moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 23 nm southwest, 8:31 pm CDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 546 nm along the route, 23 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 16 nm southwest, 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 387 nm along the route, 16 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 17 nm northeast, 9:35 pm CDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 407 nm along the route, 17 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm east (080°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 7:21 pm CDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 407 nm along the route, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- B737 at 25,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 427 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 436 nm along the route, 10 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. 436 nm along the route, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
8 more routine reports are on the map.
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 10 forecast points nearest it (SPS, GAG, AMA, GCK, PUB, DEN, GJT, RKS, LND, PIH). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −1 kt | 13 °C | 121 kt | 7 h 03 min | 4:15 am MDT (10:15 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +3 kt | 8 °C | 117 kt | 7 h 17 min | 4:29 am MDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +6 kt | 4 °C | 114 kt | 7 h 29 min | 4:41 am MDT (10:41 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +4 kt | -1 °C | 116 kt | 7 h 21 min | 4:33 am MDT (10:33 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | +2 kt | -5 °C | 118 kt | 7 h 14 min | 4:26 am MDT (10:26 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 35 kt | 0 | -8 °C | 120 kt | 7 h 06 min | 4:18 am MDT (10:18 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 43 kt | +3 kt | -21 °C | 117 kt | 7 h 17 min | 4:29 am MDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 58 kt | +11 kt | -28 °C | 109 kt | 7 h 50 min | 5:02 am MDT (11:02 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 58 kt | +17 kt | -36 °C | 103 kt | 8 h 17 min | 5:29 am MDT (11:29 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 52 kt | +18 kt | -46 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 22 min | 5:34 am MDT (11:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
| GAG | used from 99 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 198 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| GCK | used from 248 nm out; 93 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° | |
| PUB | used from 298 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| DEN | used from 446 nm out; 47 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° | ||
| GJT | used from 546 nm out; 106 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° | ||
| RKS | used from 595 nm out; 58 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 744 nm out; 81 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° | ||
| PIH | used from 794 nm out; 53 nm from the line | L/V | 240/13 1° | 240/15 -3° | 210/42 -15° | 200/70 -25° | 220/74 -29° | 220/71 -36° | 220/62 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPS Wichita Falls, TX | departure | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 9:52 pm CDT (02:52 UTC) |
| AXS Altus, OK | 60 nm out, 1 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,433 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| HHF Canadian, TX | 149 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 2,396 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| GUY Guymon, OK | 218 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 15 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 3,125 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 417 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 16,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| GNB Granby, CO | 506 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the west (260°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 8,207 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 565 nm out, 7 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 6,606 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| RKS Rock Springs, WY | 675 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 19 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,764 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| BPI Big Piney, WY | 754 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,993 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| AFO Afton, WY | 784 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 6,220 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 4,743 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,207 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IDA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:15 am MDT (10:15 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for IDA
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 3 miles, rain, mist, a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
The forecast for SPS, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 3 nm from the route, 436 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, 446 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at SPS 7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC), at IDA 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm MDT (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IDA is before sunrise there (7:38 am MDT (13:38 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: Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal, Idaho Falls Regional.