Helicopters over California City

Private and charter helicopters over California City

182 of 222 recorded passes over California City were private and charter helicopters — 82% of the traffic here, 17.3 hours overhead in total.

typically 2,700–3,950 ft

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

Military helicopters over California City

20 of 222 recorded passes over California City were military helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 1 hour overhead in total.

Most often: Blue Sky (N80BH), 3 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 4,100–7,650 ft

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

Air ambulances over California City

11 of 222 recorded passes over California City were air ambulances — 5% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N224AM), 8 recorded passestypically 3,700–5,400 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.

Fire helicopters over California City

9 of 222 recorded passes over California City were fire helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 0.6 hours overhead in total.

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

Is that an air ambulance over California City?

Air ambulances account for 5% of the 222 helicopter passes recorded over California City. The one you see most is Air Methods (N224AM), 8 recorded passes. They typically fly at 3,700–5,400 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over California City?

Fire helicopters account for 4% of the 222 helicopter passes recorded over California City. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over California City?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 2,700–3,950 ft; military helicopters at 4,100–7,650 ft; air ambulances at 3,700–5,400 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 California City?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 17.3 hours overhead across 182 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.