Helicopters over Colton

Private and charter helicopters over Colton

487 of 942 recorded passes over Colton were private and charter helicopters — 52% of the traffic here, 19.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N694AM), 6 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,900 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 Colton

239 of 942 recorded passes over Colton were sheriff's helicopters — 25% of the traffic here, 12.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 20 recorded passestypically 1,350–1,750 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 Colton

84 of 942 recorded passes over Colton were air ambulances — 9% of the traffic here, 3.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N261AM), 19 recorded passestypically 1,100–1,650 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.

Police helicopters over Colton

56 of 942 recorded passes over Colton were police helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Fontana PD (N166PD), 6 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 1,600–1,950 ft

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 Colton?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 25% of the 942 helicopter passes recorded over Colton. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N831SB), 20 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,350–1,750 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 Colton?

Air ambulances account for 9% of the 942 helicopter passes recorded over Colton. The one you see most is Air Methods (N261AM), 19 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,100–1,650 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 police helicopter circling over Colton?

Police helicopters account for 6% of the 942 helicopter passes recorded over Colton. The one you see most is Fontana PD (N166PD), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 1,600–1,950 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Colton?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,500–1,900 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,350–1,750 ft; air ambulances at 1,100–1,650 ft; police helicopters at 1,600–1,950 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 Colton?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 19.6 hours overhead across 487 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.