Helicopters over Oildale

Private and charter helicopters over Oildale

978 of 1,560 recorded passes over Oildale were private and charter helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 86.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Guardian Helicopters (N1174U), 10 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 550–800 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 Oildale

298 of 1,560 recorded passes over Oildale were sheriff's helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 38.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Kern Sheriff (N912KC), 54 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 700–1,300 ft

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

Air ambulances over Oildale

173 of 1,560 recorded passes over Oildale were air ambulances — 11% of the traffic here, 19.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N528AM), 52 recorded passestypically 600–1,150 ft

Air ambulances carry patients to and between hospitals. They usually fly straight in and out, often with a short circle over the landing site before they set down.

Military helicopters over Oildale

63 of 1,560 recorded passes over Oildale were military helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 7.2 hours overhead in total.

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Oildale?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 19% of the 1,560 helicopter passes recorded over Oildale. The one you see most is Kern Sheriff (N912KC), 54 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 700–1,300 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 an air ambulance over Oildale?

Air ambulances account for 11% of the 1,560 helicopter passes recorded over Oildale. The one you see most is Air Methods (N528AM), 52 recorded passes. They typically fly at 600–1,150 ft above sea level. Air ambulances carry patients to and between hospitals. They usually fly straight in and out, often with a short circle over the landing site before they set down.

How high do helicopters fly over Oildale?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 550–800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 700–1,300 ft; air ambulances at 600–1,150 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 Oildale?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 86.4 hours overhead across 978 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.