Helicopters over Montecito

Private and charter helicopters over Montecito

399 of 498 recorded passes over Montecito were private and charter helicopters — 80% of the traffic here, 25.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Guardian Helicopters (N817DD), 36 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 900–3,050 ft

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

Military helicopters over Montecito

80 of 498 recorded passes over Montecito were military helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US NAVY (169454), 11 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 950–7,600 ft

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

How high do helicopters fly over Montecito?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 900–3,050 ft; military helicopters at 950–7,600 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 Montecito?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 25.5 hours overhead across 399 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.