Helicopters over Anaheim

Police helicopters over Anaheim

686 of 1,190 recorded passes over Anaheim were police helicopters — 58% of the traffic here, 60.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Anaheim Police Dept (N226PD), 134 recorded passestypically 800–1,150 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Private and charter helicopters over Anaheim

333 of 1,190 recorded passes over Anaheim were private and charter helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 23.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N944AM), 6 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 950–1,400 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 Anaheim

82 of 1,190 recorded passes over Anaheim were sheriff's helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 2.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff'S Department (N185SD), 16 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 1,000–1,300 ft

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

Fire and air-medical helicopters over Anaheim

32 of 1,190 recorded passes over Anaheim were fire and air-medical helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 4 recorded passes

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Anaheim?

Police helicopters account for 58% of the 1,190 helicopter passes recorded over Anaheim. The one you see most is Anaheim Police Dept (N226PD), 134 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,150 ft above sea level. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Anaheim?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 7% of the 1,190 helicopter passes recorded over Anaheim. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff'S Department (N185SD), 16 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,300 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Anaheim?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 3% of the 1,190 helicopter passes recorded over Anaheim. The one you see most is Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 4 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 high do helicopters fly over Anaheim?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 800–1,150 ft; private and charter helicopters at 950–1,400 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,000–1,300 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 Anaheim?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 60.9 hours overhead across 686 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.