Helicopters over Bloomington

Private and charter helicopters over Bloomington

224 of 531 recorded passes over Bloomington were private and charter helicopters — 42% of the traffic here, 7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: REACH (N36RX), 14 recorded passestypically 1,700–2,300 ft

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

Police helicopters over Bloomington

160 of 531 recorded passes over Bloomington were police helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 6.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Fontana PD (N166PD), 41 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 1,550–1,850 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Bloomington

98 of 531 recorded passes over Bloomington were sheriff's helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 23 recorded passestypically 1,550–1,800 ft

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

Air ambulances over Bloomington

18 of 531 recorded passes over Bloomington were air ambulances — 3% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N160AM), 4 recorded passestypically 1,800–2,850 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 police helicopter circling over Bloomington?

Police helicopters account for 30% of the 531 helicopter passes recorded over Bloomington. The one you see most is Fontana PD (N166PD), 41 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 1,550–1,850 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 Bloomington?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 18% of the 531 helicopter passes recorded over Bloomington. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 23 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,550–1,800 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.

Is that an air ambulance over Bloomington?

Air ambulances account for 3% of the 531 helicopter passes recorded over Bloomington. The one you see most is Air Methods (N160AM), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,800–2,850 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 Bloomington?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,700–2,300 ft; police helicopters at 1,550–1,850 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,550–1,800 ft; air ambulances at 1,800–2,850 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 Bloomington?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 7 hours overhead across 224 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.