Helicopters over Avalon

Private and charter helicopters over Avalon

1,922 of 2,387 recorded passes over Avalon were private and charter helicopters — 81% of the traffic here, 142 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Maverick (N851MH), 65 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 100–500 ft

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

Military helicopters over Avalon

397 of 2,387 recorded passes over Avalon were military helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 55.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: DHS (N819KB), 6 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 200–600 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Avalon

31 of 2,387 recorded passes over Avalon were fire helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 4.1 hours overhead in total.

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

Air ambulances over Avalon

19 of 2,387 recorded passes over Avalon were air ambulances — 1% of the traffic here, 1.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mercy Air (N908KB), 10 recorded passesusually 11am–2pm

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 Avalon?

Fire helicopters account for 1% of the 2,387 helicopter passes recorded over Avalon. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that an air ambulance over Avalon?

Air ambulances account for 1% of the 2,387 helicopter passes recorded over Avalon. The one you see most is Mercy Air (N908KB), 10 recorded passes. They are usually 11am–2pm here. 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 Avalon?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 100–500 ft; military helicopters at 200–600 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 Avalon?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 142 hours overhead across 1,922 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.