Helicopters over Calimesa

Private and charter helicopters over Calimesa

339 of 558 recorded passes over Calimesa were private and charter helicopters — 61% of the traffic here, 18.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N766ME), 13 recorded passestypically 2,950–3,900 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 Calimesa

105 of 558 recorded passes over Calimesa were sheriff's helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 10.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 19 recorded passestypically 2,550–2,950 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 Calimesa

38 of 558 recorded passes over Calimesa were air ambulances — 7% of the traffic here, 2.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N766ME), 11 recorded passestypically 2,850–3,950 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.

Military helicopters over Calimesa

34 of 558 recorded passes over Calimesa were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

usually 10am–1pmtypically 2,550–3,350 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Calimesa?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 19% of the 558 helicopter passes recorded over Calimesa. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 19 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,550–2,950 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 Calimesa?

Air ambulances account for 7% of the 558 helicopter passes recorded over Calimesa. The one you see most is Air Methods (N766ME), 11 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,850–3,950 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 Calimesa?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 2,950–3,900 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,550–2,950 ft; air ambulances at 2,850–3,950 ft; military helicopters at 2,550–3,350 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 Calimesa?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 18.4 hours overhead across 339 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.