Helicopters over Lake Arrowhead

Private and charter helicopters over Lake Arrowhead

384 of 705 recorded passes over Lake Arrowhead were private and charter helicopters — 54% of the traffic here, 27.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Timberline Helicopters (N675TH), 30 recorded passestypically 5,150–5,800 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 Lake Arrowhead

208 of 705 recorded passes over Lake Arrowhead were sheriff's helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 13.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 18 recorded passestypically 3,900–5,050 ft

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

Air ambulances over Lake Arrowhead

45 of 705 recorded passes over Lake Arrowhead were air ambulances — 6% of the traffic here, 2.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N694AM), 18 recorded passestypically 5,100–6,350 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 Lake Arrowhead

44 of 705 recorded passes over Lake Arrowhead were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 2.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (11-20384), 3 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 4,650–8,400 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 Lake Arrowhead?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 30% of the 705 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Arrowhead. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 18 recorded passes. They typically fly at 3,900–5,050 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 Lake Arrowhead?

Air ambulances account for 6% of the 705 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Arrowhead. The one you see most is Air Methods (N694AM), 18 recorded passes. They typically fly at 5,100–6,350 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 Lake Arrowhead?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 5,150–5,800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,900–5,050 ft; air ambulances at 5,100–6,350 ft; military helicopters at 4,650–8,400 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 Lake Arrowhead?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 27.8 hours overhead across 384 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.