Helicopters over Apple Valley

Private and charter helicopters over Apple Valley

545 of 1,293 recorded passes over Apple Valley were private and charter helicopters — 42% of the traffic here, 36.5 hours overhead in total.

typically 3,000–3,800 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 Apple Valley

383 of 1,293 recorded passes over Apple Valley were sheriff's helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 46.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N836SB), 36 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 3,300–3,800 ft

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

CHP helicopters over Apple Valley

147 of 1,293 recorded passes over Apple Valley were CHP helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 21.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: CHP (N985HP), 28 recorded passesusually 10am–1pm

CHP aircraft work the freeways — pursuits, major collisions and traffic enforcement — and usually pass through rather than hold.

Military helicopters over Apple Valley

97 of 1,293 recorded passes over Apple Valley were military helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 6.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (19-72458), 3 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 3,500–6,600 ft

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Apple Valley?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 30% of the 1,293 helicopter passes recorded over Apple Valley. The one you see most is LASD (N836SB), 36 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 3,300–3,800 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Apple Valley?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,000–3,800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,300–3,800 ft; military helicopters at 3,500–6,600 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 Apple Valley?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 46.8 hours overhead across 383 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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 Live 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.