Helicopters over Arvin

Private and charter helicopters over Arvin

199 of 288 recorded passes over Arvin were private and charter helicopters — 69% of the traffic here, 15.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N645AM), 21 recorded passestypically 1,250–3,850 ft

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

Military helicopters over Arvin

42 of 288 recorded passes over Arvin were military helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 3.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (18-20980), 3 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 3,850–8,650 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Arvin

21 of 288 recorded passes over Arvin were fire helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Kern County Fire Department (N409KC), 11 recorded passestypically 1,900–3,200 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Air ambulances over Arvin

16 of 288 recorded passes over Arvin were air ambulances — 6% of the traffic here, 1.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N528AM), 9 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 2,800–5,500 ft

Air ambulances carry patients to and between hospitals. They usually fly straight in and out, often with a short circle over the landing site before they set down.

Why is a fire helicopter over Arvin?

Fire helicopters account for 7% of the 288 helicopter passes recorded over Arvin. The one you see most is Kern County Fire Department (N409KC), 11 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,900–3,200 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that an air ambulance over Arvin?

Air ambulances account for 6% of the 288 helicopter passes recorded over Arvin. The one you see most is Air Methods (N528AM), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 2,800–5,500 ft above sea level. Air ambulances carry patients to and between hospitals. They usually fly straight in and out, often with a short circle over the landing site before they set down.

How high do helicopters fly over Arvin?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,250–3,850 ft; military helicopters at 3,850–8,650 ft; fire helicopters at 1,900–3,200 ft; air ambulances at 2,800–5,500 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 Arvin?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 15.6 hours overhead across 199 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.