Helicopters over Carbon Canyon

Private and charter helicopters over Carbon Canyon

143 of 230 recorded passes over Carbon Canyon were private and charter helicopters — 62% of the traffic here, 4.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Spitzer Helicopter (N273SH), 26 recorded passestypically 1,700–2,300 ft

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

Police helicopters over Carbon Canyon

27 of 230 recorded passes over Carbon Canyon were police helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 1 hour overhead in total.

Most often: Anaheim PD (N826PD), 17 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 900–1,300 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 Carbon Canyon

15 of 230 recorded passes over Carbon Canyon were military helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 0.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (18-20978), 4 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 2,250–4,050 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Carbon Canyon

13 of 230 recorded passes over Carbon Canyon were sheriff's helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff's Department (N183SD), 4 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,650 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Carbon Canyon?

Police helicopters account for 12% of the 230 helicopter passes recorded over Carbon Canyon. The one you see most is Anaheim PD (N826PD), 17 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,300 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Carbon Canyon?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 6% of the 230 helicopter passes recorded over Carbon Canyon. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff's Department (N183SD), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,650 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 Carbon Canyon?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,700–2,300 ft; police helicopters at 900–1,300 ft; military helicopters at 2,250–4,050 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,300–1,650 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 Carbon Canyon?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 4.5 hours overhead across 143 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.