Helicopters over Oak Creek

Private and charter helicopters over Oak Creek

120 of 217 recorded passes over Oak Creek were private and charter helicopters — 55% of the traffic here, 3.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helistream (N80156), 30 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 800–1,500 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 Oak Creek

66 of 217 recorded passes over Oak Creek were sheriff's helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 31 recorded passestypically 850–1,250 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 Oak Creek

13 of 217 recorded passes over Oak Creek were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (17-20931), 3 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 3,550–6,050 ft

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

News helicopters over Oak Creek

12 of 217 recorded passes over Oak Creek were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 3 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 900–1,800 ft

News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Oak Creek?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 30% of the 217 helicopter passes recorded over Oak Creek. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 31 recorded passes. They typically fly at 850–1,250 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 a news helicopter over Oak Creek?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 217 helicopter passes recorded over Oak Creek. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 3 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 900–1,800 ft above sea level. News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

How high do helicopters fly over Oak Creek?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 800–1,500 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 850–1,250 ft; military helicopters at 3,550–6,050 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,800 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 Oak Creek?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 3.5 hours overhead across 120 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.