Helicopters over Mesa Verde

Private and charter helicopters over Mesa Verde

91 of 227 recorded passes over Mesa Verde were private and charter helicopters — 40% of the traffic here, 2.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helistream (N80156), 20 recorded passestypically 600–900 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 Mesa Verde

60 of 227 recorded passes over Mesa Verde were sheriff's helicopters — 26% of the traffic here, 2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff's Department (N183SD), 29 recorded passestypically 700–1,000 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 Mesa Verde

57 of 227 recorded passes over Mesa Verde were police helicopters — 25% of the traffic here, 4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 37 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 750–1,300 ft

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 Mesa Verde

10 of 227 recorded passes over Mesa Verde were military helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 0.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US MARINES (168640), 3 recorded passestypically 4,200–6,000 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 Mesa Verde?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 26% of the 227 helicopter passes recorded over Mesa Verde. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff's Department (N183SD), 29 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–1,000 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 Mesa Verde?

Police helicopters account for 25% of the 227 helicopter passes recorded over Mesa Verde. The one you see most is Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 37 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 750–1,300 ft above sea level. 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 Mesa Verde?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 600–900 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 700–1,000 ft; police helicopters at 750–1,300 ft; military helicopters at 4,200–6,000 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 Mesa Verde?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 4 hours overhead across 57 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 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.