Helicopters over Del Sur

Private and charter helicopters over Del Sur

148 of 251 recorded passes over Del Sur were private and charter helicopters — 59% of the traffic here, 4.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Wilson Construction (N531WC), 61 recorded passestypically 2,900–3,350 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Del Sur

71 of 251 recorded passes over Del Sur were fire helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: CAL FIRE (N716HT), 14 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 2,850–3,350 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Del Sur

18 of 251 recorded passes over Del Sur were sheriff's helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 4 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 2,800–3,150 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 Del Sur

8 of 251 recorded passes over Del Sur were military helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 0.2 hours overhead in total.

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Del Sur?

Fire helicopters account for 28% of the 251 helicopter passes recorded over Del Sur. The one you see most is CAL FIRE (N716HT), 14 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 2,850–3,350 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 Del Sur?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 7% of the 251 helicopter passes recorded over Del Sur. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 2,800–3,150 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 Del Sur?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 2,900–3,350 ft; fire helicopters at 2,850–3,350 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,800–3,150 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 Del Sur?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 4.3 hours overhead across 148 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.