Helicopters over Highland

Sheriff's helicopters over Highland

1,690 of 2,815 recorded passes over Highland were sheriff's helicopters — 60% of the traffic here, 127.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N835SB), 69 recorded passestypically 1,450–1,750 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Highland

925 of 2,815 recorded passes over Highland were private and charter helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 56.8 hours overhead in total.

typically 1,200–2,300 ft

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

Air ambulances over Highland

126 of 2,815 recorded passes over Highland were air ambulances — 4% of the traffic here, 6.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N766ME), 18 recorded passestypically 1,650–2,900 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.

Military helicopters over Highland

27 of 2,815 recorded passes over Highland were military helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Highland?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 60% of the 2,815 helicopter passes recorded over Highland. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N835SB), 69 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,450–1,750 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 Highland?

Air ambulances account for 4% of the 2,815 helicopter passes recorded over Highland. The one you see most is Air Methods (N766ME), 18 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,650–2,900 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Highland?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 1,450–1,750 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,200–2,300 ft; air ambulances at 1,650–2,900 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 Highland?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 127.5 hours overhead across 1,690 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.