Helicopters over Camarillo

Private and charter helicopters over Camarillo

1,026 of 1,584 recorded passes over Camarillo were private and charter helicopters — 65% of the traffic here, 65.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Spitzer Helicopter (N838BP), 30 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 250–600 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Camarillo

190 of 1,584 recorded passes over Camarillo were fire helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 8.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Ventura Co FD (QRF) (N40CU), 13 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 250–400 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Camarillo

174 of 1,584 recorded passes over Camarillo were sheriff's helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 14.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Ventura Co. Sheriff (N412VC), 19 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 300–500 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 Camarillo

170 of 1,584 recorded passes over Camarillo were military helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 6.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US Coast Guard (6055), 5 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 500–1,650 ft

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Camarillo?

Fire helicopters account for 12% of the 1,584 helicopter passes recorded over Camarillo. The one you see most is Ventura Co FD (QRF) (N40CU), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 250–400 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Camarillo?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 11% of the 1,584 helicopter passes recorded over Camarillo. The one you see most is Ventura Co. Sheriff (N412VC), 19 recorded passes. They are usually 11am–2pm here. They typically fly at 300–500 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Camarillo?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 250–600 ft; fire helicopters at 250–400 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 300–500 ft; military helicopters at 500–1,650 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 Camarillo?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 65.4 hours overhead across 1,026 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.