The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC)

Van Nuys Airport to Rifle Garfield County VNY → RIL

607 nautical miles (698 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 055°, about 043° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 25 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 58-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now VNY is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 10 knots; RIL 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 return flight

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 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 80 nm of the route.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120055
MKCW WST 120055
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W
VALID UNTIL 0255Z
CO NM WY AZ UT
FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE
AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 159 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 50 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 497 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 497 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 438 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 428 nm of the route.
  • 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 308 to 398 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 last 189 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 478 nm along 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 VNY.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • B38M at 14,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 5:13 pm PDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 60 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast 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
  • UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 3:54 pm PDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 289 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ARP UAL493 3648N 11330W 2254 F240 TB MODERATE SK IN CLOUDS IC LIGHT
    Report
    a routine report filed through ARP
  • E170 at 10,000 ft, 13 nm south, 4:41 pm PDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 567 nm along the route, 13 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
    Report
    a routine report filed through GJT
    Where
    9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
    Time
    23:41 UTC
    Height
    at 10,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Turbulence
    moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the climb
  • C650 at 40,000 ft, 39 nm east, 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
    Report
    a routine report filed through ASE
    Where
    over DBL
    Time
    23:48 UTC
    Height
    at 40,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C650
    Turbulence
    moderate
    Remarks
    ZDVWC-03
  • C680A at 16,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 3:59 pm PDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 44 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ASE UA /OV HAERI/TM 2259/FL160/TP C680A/SK SCT160/TB CONS MOD/RM DURD
    Report
    a routine report filed through ASE
    Where
    haeri
    Time
    22:59 UTC
    Height
    at 16,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C680A
    Sky
    scattered clouds from 16,000 ft
    Turbulence
    continuous moderate
    Remarks
    during the descent
  • C680 at 18,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 37 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
    Report
    a routine report filed through ASE
    Where
    20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
    Time
    22:35 UTC
    Height
    at 18,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C680
    Turbulence
    moderate
    Remarks
    from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
  • A21B at 4,000 ft, 17 nm south, 5:11 pm PDT (00:11 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY25L. At the departure end, 17 nm south 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 RY25L
  • E75S at 5,000 ft, 31 nm southeast, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 31 nm southeast 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 southeast, 4:55 pm PDT (23:55 UTC): overcast above 5,400 ft, remarks: bases 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm southeast 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
  • C172 at 5,000 ft, 36 nm west, 4:15 pm PDT (23:15 UTC): remarks: tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25. At the departure end, 36 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2315/FL050/TP C172/RM TOPS 050 ON DEP RWY25
    Report
    a routine report filed through OXR
    Where
    over KOXR
    Time
    23:15 UTC
    Height
    at 5,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Remarks
    tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25
  • E50P at 3,200 ft, 36 nm west, 3:57 pm PDT (22:57 UTC): remarks: bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25. At the departure end, 36 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2257/FL032/TP E50P/RM BASES 036 ON ARR RWY25
    Report
    a routine report filed through OXR
    Where
    over KOXR
    Time
    22:57 UTC
    Height
    at 3,200 ft
    Aircraft
    E50P
    Remarks
    bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25
  • C172 at 1,400 ft, 28 nm southeast, 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC): remarks: base 3,400 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TOA UA /OV 4 E KTOA/TM 2253/FL014/TP C172/RM BASE 034
    Report
    a routine report filed through TOA
    Where
    4 east KTOA
    Time
    22:53 UTC
    Height
    at 1,400 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Remarks
    base 3,400 ft
  • B757 at 4,000 ft, 20 nm southeast, 3:38 pm PDT (22:38 UTC): remarks: reduced visibility below the ceiling ILS25L. At the departure end, 20 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    LAX UA /OV LAX070010/TM 2238/FL040/TP B757/SK TOPS050 BASES040/RM REDUCED VISIBILITY BELOW THE CEILING. ILS25L
    Report
    a routine report filed through LAX
    Where
    10 nm east (070°) of LAX
    Time
    22:38 UTC
    Height
    at 4,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B757
    Sky
    TOPS050 BASES040
    Remarks
    reduced visibility below the ceiling ILS25L
  • B737 at 4,000 ft, 17 nm south, 3:37 pm PDT (22:37 UTC): a broken layer from 4,000 ft to 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 17 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    KLAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 2237/FL040/TP B737/SK BKN040-TOP050
    Report
    a routine report filed through KLAX
    Where
    over KLAX
    Time
    22:37 UTC
    Height
    at 4,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    a broken layer from 4,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft

16 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 4 forecast points nearest it (WJF, LAS, BCE, GJT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
7,500 ft220° at 30 kt−27 kt9 °C147 kt4 h 08 min11:36 pm MDT (05:36 UTC)
9,500 ft220° at 30 kt−28 kt6 °C148 kt4 h 06 min11:34 pm MDT (05:34 UTC)
11,500 ft220° at 36 kt−34 kt1 °C154 kt3 h 56 min11:24 pm MDT (05:24 UTC)
13,500 ft220° at 39 kt−36 kt-3 °C156 kt3 h 53 min11:21 pm MDT (05:21 UTC)
15,500 ft210° at 42 kt−38 kt-7 °C158 kt3 h 51 min11:19 pm MDT (05:19 UTC)
17,500 ft210° at 45 kt−40 kt-11 °C160 kt3 h 48 min11:16 pm MDT (05:16 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180210° at 46 kt−40 kt-12 °C160 kt3 h 48 min11:16 pm MDT (05:16 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240220° at 48 kt−44 kt-22 °C164 kt3 h 42 min11:10 pm MDT (05:10 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300220° at 53 kt−50 kt-28 °C170 kt3 h 34 min11:02 pm MDT (05:02 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340220° at 57 kt−53 kt-35 °C173 kt3 h 31 min10:59 pm MDT (04:59 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390230° at 58 kt−58 kt-45 °C178 kt3 h 25 min10:53 pm MDT (04:53 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
WJFused from 0 nm out; 19 nm from the line220/30 8°240/28 5°230/34 -2°220/34 -13°220/48 -20°220/47 -29°210/48 -34°220/52 -44°
LASused from 99 nm out; 74 nm from the line200/25 11°230/22 5°240/25 -1°220/37 -12°220/44 -21°210/52 -27°210/60 -34°220/58 -44°
BCEused from 298 nm out; 50 nm from the line210/47 0°200/50 -12°220/31 -23°220/56 -26°220/58 -35°230/58 -45°
GJTused from 448 nm out; 90 nm from the line210/40 11°210/46 3°210/61 -10°210/68 -22°220/57 -29°230/59 -36°240/66 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
VNY Van Nuys, CA departure VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet from the south (190°) at 10 knots 10+ mi none 802 ft 5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC)
PMD Palmdale, CA 30 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR from the west-southwest (240°) at 18 knots 10+ mi none 2,542 ft 00:53 UTC
DAG Daggett, CA 90 nm out, 16 nm southeast of the line VFR from the southwest (230°) at 23 knots, gusting to 31 10+ mi none 1,930 ft 00:50 UTC
LAS Las Vegas, NV 199 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet from the south (190°) at 12 knots 10+ mi 15,000 ft 2,183 ft 00:56 UTC
SGU St George, UT 298 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line VFR Sky: overcast at 11,000 feet from the south (180°) at 6 knots 10+ mi 11,000 ft 2,883 ft 00:56 UTC
AZC Colorado City, AZ 318 nm out, 10 nm south of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, overcast at 4,400 feet Weather: rain from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots, gusting to 15 7 mi 3,200 ft 4,873 ft 01:15 UTC
BCE Bryce Canyon, UT 368 nm out, 9 nm north of the line marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: rain, mist from the south (180°) at 17 knots, gusting to 21 4 mi 3,700 ft 7,589 ft 01:13 UTC
HVE Hanksville, UT 458 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,500 feet from the southeast (140°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 10+ mi none 4,453 ft 01:10 UTC
CNY Moab, UT 497 nm out, 7 nm north of the line VFR from the south-southwest (210°) at 21 knots, gusting to 29 10+ mi none 4,579 ft 00:53 UTC
GJT Grand Junction, CO 567 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet from the southeast (140°) at 13 knots, gusting to 23 10+ mi none 4,861 ft 00:53 UTC
RIL Rifle, CO destination VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain calm 8 mi 7,000 ft 5,536 ft 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,589 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RIL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet VFR

30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet marginal VFR

The whole forecast for RIL
  • From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
  • At times between Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
  • From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 2,500 feet
  • From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for VNY, the departure
  • From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
  • From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
  • From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 169 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
  • 6/8808 Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 199 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at VNY 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIL is after sunset there (6:38 pm MDT (00:38 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

Radar now, the Pacific Southwest
Radar now, the Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Rockies
Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Van Nuys Airport, Rifle Garfield County.