Helicopters over Cajon Pass

Private and charter helicopters over Cajon Pass

452 of 911 recorded passes over Cajon Pass were private and charter helicopters — 50% of the traffic here, 27 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N817CE), 7 recorded passestypically 3,500–5,250 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 Cajon Pass

219 of 911 recorded passes over Cajon Pass were sheriff's helicopters — 24% of the traffic here, 19 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N835SB), 11 recorded passestypically 2,950–3,700 ft

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

Military helicopters over Cajon Pass

88 of 911 recorded passes over Cajon Pass were military helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 5.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (22-14540), 4 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 2,950–3,850 ft

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

Air ambulances over Cajon Pass

54 of 911 recorded passes over Cajon Pass were air ambulances — 6% of the traffic here, 3.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N160AM), 12 recorded passestypically 3,550–4,850 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Cajon Pass?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 24% of the 911 helicopter passes recorded over Cajon Pass. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N835SB), 11 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,950–3,700 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 Cajon Pass?

Air ambulances account for 6% of the 911 helicopter passes recorded over Cajon Pass. The one you see most is Air Methods (N160AM), 12 recorded passes. They typically fly at 3,550–4,850 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 Cajon Pass?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,500–5,250 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,950–3,700 ft; military helicopters at 2,950–3,850 ft; air ambulances at 3,550–4,850 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 Cajon Pass?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 27 hours overhead across 452 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.