Helicopters over Agua Dulce

Fire and air-medical helicopters over Agua Dulce

124 of 296 recorded passes over Agua Dulce were fire and air-medical helicopters — 42% of the traffic here, 5.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Fire/EMS (N15LA), 30 recorded passestypically 3,200–4,050 ft

Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Private and charter helicopters over Agua Dulce

82 of 296 recorded passes over Agua Dulce were private and charter helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 3.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Rotorcraft Support (N216GH), 7 recorded passestypically 3,600–5,450 ft

Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

Sheriff's helicopters over Agua Dulce

56 of 296 recorded passes over Agua Dulce were sheriff's helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 2.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 13 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 3,150–3,900 ft

Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

News helicopters over Agua Dulce

16 of 296 recorded passes over Agua Dulce were news helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 4 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 3,400–4,150 ft

News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

Why is a fire helicopter over Agua Dulce?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 42% of the 296 helicopter passes recorded over Agua Dulce. The one you see most is Fire/EMS (N15LA), 30 recorded passes. They typically fly at 3,200–4,050 ft above sea level. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Agua Dulce?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 19% of the 296 helicopter passes recorded over Agua Dulce. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 3,150–3,900 ft above sea level. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

Is that a news helicopter over Agua Dulce?

News helicopters account for 5% of the 296 helicopter passes recorded over Agua Dulce. The one you see most is NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 2pm–5pm here. They typically fly at 3,400–4,150 ft above sea level. News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

How high do helicopters fly over Agua Dulce?

From the passes recorded here: fire and air-medical helicopters at 3,200–4,050 ft; private and charter helicopters at 3,600–5,450 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,150–3,900 ft; news helicopters at 3,400–4,150 ft. These are the middle half of measured altitudes above sea level for each group, not a floor or a ceiling.

How long do helicopters stay over Agua Dulce?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are fire and air-medical helicopters: 5.2 hours overhead across 124 recorded passes. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How can I tell if it's police or a news helicopter?

Police aircraft usually fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot and often stay for a long time. News helicopters tend to hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after an incident is already underway. This page labels each aircraft by its operator, so you don't have to guess.

Where does this data come from?

GTLA AirWatch tracks public ADS-B and MLAT broadcasts that aircraft transmit about their own position, the same open data used by air-traffic enthusiasts worldwide. It is updated every few seconds.