Helicopters over Mount Baldy

Private and charter helicopters over Mount Baldy

114 of 249 recorded passes over Mount Baldy were private and charter helicopters — 46% of the traffic here, 20 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Coastal Helicopters (N623PD), 16 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 4,150–6,100 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 Mount Baldy

41 of 249 recorded passes over Mount Baldy were sheriff's helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 6.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N308SB), 12 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 3,500–5,050 ft

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

Military helicopters over Mount Baldy

32 of 249 recorded passes over Mount Baldy were military helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (17-20926), 7 recorded passestypically 4,100–6,300 ft

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

Police helicopters over Mount Baldy

29 of 249 recorded passes over Mount Baldy were police helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 5.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Ontario PD (N30NT), 12 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 3,400–4,050 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Mount Baldy?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 16% of the 249 helicopter passes recorded over Mount Baldy. The one you see most is LASD (N308SB), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 3,500–5,050 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Mount Baldy?

Police helicopters account for 12% of the 249 helicopter passes recorded over Mount Baldy. The one you see most is Ontario PD (N30NT), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 3,400–4,050 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 Mount Baldy?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,150–6,100 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,500–5,050 ft; military helicopters at 4,100–6,300 ft; police helicopters at 3,400–4,050 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 Mount Baldy?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 20 hours overhead across 114 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.