Helicopters over Bolsa Chica

Private and charter helicopters over Bolsa Chica

386 of 698 recorded passes over Bolsa Chica were private and charter helicopters — 55% of the traffic here, 15.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Maverick (N851MH), 15 recorded passestypically 500–1,000 ft

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

News helicopters over Bolsa Chica

110 of 698 recorded passes over Bolsa Chica were news helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 19 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 600–1,150 ft

News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

Police helicopters over Bolsa Chica

99 of 698 recorded passes over Bolsa Chica were police helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 5.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 24 recorded passestypically 450–850 ft

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

Military helicopters over Bolsa Chica

50 of 698 recorded passes over Bolsa Chica were military helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 4 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 450–600 ft

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

Is that a news helicopter over Bolsa Chica?

News helicopters account for 16% of the 698 helicopter passes recorded over Bolsa Chica. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 19 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 600–1,150 ft above sea level. News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Bolsa Chica?

Police helicopters account for 14% of the 698 helicopter passes recorded over Bolsa Chica. The one you see most is Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 24 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–850 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Bolsa Chica?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 500–1,000 ft; news helicopters at 600–1,150 ft; police helicopters at 450–850 ft; military helicopters at 450–600 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 Bolsa Chica?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 15.2 hours overhead across 386 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.