Helicopters over Murrieta

Private and charter helicopters over Murrieta

255 of 587 recorded passes over Murrieta were private and charter helicopters — 43% of the traffic here, 8.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Tsunami Skydivers (N290KC), 11 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,800–2,350 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 Murrieta

112 of 587 recorded passes over Murrieta were sheriff's helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 4.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Riverside Sheriff (N997SD), 23 recorded passestypically 1,700–1,850 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Murrieta

106 of 587 recorded passes over Murrieta were fire helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 5.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: CAL FIRE (N478DF), 20 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,950–2,500 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Military helicopters over Murrieta

93 of 587 recorded passes over Murrieta were military helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 5.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (18-20980), 4 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 2,600–4,100 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 Murrieta?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 19% of the 587 helicopter passes recorded over Murrieta. The one you see most is Riverside Sheriff (N997SD), 23 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,700–1,850 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 fire helicopter over Murrieta?

Fire helicopters account for 18% of the 587 helicopter passes recorded over Murrieta. The one you see most is CAL FIRE (N478DF), 20 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,950–2,500 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Murrieta?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,800–2,350 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,700–1,850 ft; fire helicopters at 1,950–2,500 ft; military helicopters at 2,600–4,100 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 Murrieta?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 8.8 hours overhead across 255 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.