Helicopters over Orange County Great Park

Private and charter helicopters over Orange County Great Park

147 of 302 recorded passes over Orange County Great Park were private and charter helicopters — 49% of the traffic here, 10.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helistream (N80156), 23 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 1,000–1,550 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 Orange County Great Park

93 of 302 recorded passes over Orange County Great Park were sheriff's helicopters — 31% of the traffic here, 3.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 37 recorded passestypically 1,050–1,400 ft

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

News helicopters over Orange County Great Park

20 of 302 recorded passes over Orange County Great Park were news helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 0.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 6 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 950–1,700 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.

Fire helicopters over Orange County Great Park

20 of 302 recorded passes over Orange County Great Park were fire helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1 hour overhead in total.

Most often: Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 8 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 900–1,100 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Orange County Great Park?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 31% of the 302 helicopter passes recorded over Orange County Great Park. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 37 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,050–1,400 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 Orange County Great Park?

News helicopters account for 7% of the 302 helicopter passes recorded over Orange County Great Park. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 950–1,700 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Orange County Great Park?

Fire helicopters account for 7% of the 302 helicopter passes recorded over Orange County Great Park. The one you see most is Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 12pm–3pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,100 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 Orange County Great Park?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,550 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,050–1,400 ft; news helicopters at 950–1,700 ft; fire helicopters at 900–1,100 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 Orange County Great Park?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 10.4 hours overhead across 147 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.