Helicopters over Irvine

Private and charter helicopters over Irvine

890 of 1,186 recorded passes over Irvine were private and charter helicopters — 75% of the traffic here, 54 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helistream (N80156), 34 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 500–850 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 Irvine

198 of 1,186 recorded passes over Irvine were sheriff's helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 6.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange Co Sheriff (N185SD), 12 recorded passestypically 600–1,000 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 Irvine

28 of 1,186 recorded passes over Irvine were police helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 2.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 3 recorded passes

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 Irvine

25 of 1,186 recorded passes over Irvine were military helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 0.5 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 Irvine?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 17% of the 1,186 helicopter passes recorded over Irvine. The one you see most is Orange Co Sheriff (N185SD), 12 recorded passes. They typically fly at 600–1,000 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 Irvine?

Police helicopters account for 2% of the 1,186 helicopter passes recorded over Irvine. The one you see most is Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 3 recorded passes. 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 Irvine?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 500–850 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 600–1,000 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 Irvine?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 54 hours overhead across 890 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.