Helicopters over Fairmont

Private and charter helicopters over Fairmont

176 of 311 recorded passes over Fairmont were private and charter helicopters — 57% of the traffic here, 7.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Wilson Construction (N531WC), 25 recorded passesusually 8am–11amtypically 3,200–3,950 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Fairmont

109 of 311 recorded passes over Fairmont were fire helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 12 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (Helitanker) (N42CU), 9 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 2,900–3,550 ft

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

Military helicopters over Fairmont

15 of 311 recorded passes over Fairmont were military helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 0.6 hours overhead in total.

typically 6,400–9,950 ft

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Fairmont?

Fire helicopters account for 35% of the 311 helicopter passes recorded over Fairmont. The one you see most is LA Co FD (Helitanker) (N42CU), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 2,900–3,550 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Fairmont?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,200–3,950 ft; fire helicopters at 2,900–3,550 ft; military helicopters at 6,400–9,950 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 Fairmont?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are fire helicopters: 12 hours overhead across 109 recorded passes. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

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.