Helicopters over Corona

Private and charter helicopters over Corona

637 of 1,011 recorded passes over Corona were private and charter helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 32.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Spitzer Helicopter (N273SH), 20 recorded passestypically 1,000–1,600 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 Corona

152 of 1,011 recorded passes over Corona were sheriff's helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Riverside Sheriff (N996RS), 11 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,200–1,600 ft

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

Police helicopters over Corona

120 of 1,011 recorded passes over Corona were police helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Riverside PD (N911RP), 14 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 1,400–1,700 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 Corona

61 of 1,011 recorded passes over Corona were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 5 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 1,700–2,550 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 Corona?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 15% of the 1,011 helicopter passes recorded over Corona. The one you see most is Riverside Sheriff (N996RS), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,600 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Corona?

Police helicopters account for 12% of the 1,011 helicopter passes recorded over Corona. The one you see most is Riverside PD (N911RP), 14 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 1,400–1,700 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 Corona?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,200–1,600 ft; police helicopters at 1,400–1,700 ft; military helicopters at 1,700–2,550 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 Corona?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 32.8 hours overhead across 637 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.