Helicopters over Phelan

Private and charter helicopters over Phelan

172 of 302 recorded passes over Phelan were private and charter helicopters — 57% of the traffic here, 9.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N160AM), 17 recorded passestypically 4,550–5,400 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 Phelan

52 of 302 recorded passes over Phelan were sheriff's helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 3.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 10 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 4,150–4,900 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 Phelan

42 of 302 recorded passes over Phelan were military helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 1.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US NAVY (166528), 3 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 4,450–6,250 ft

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

Air ambulances over Phelan

20 of 302 recorded passes over Phelan were air ambulances — 7% of the traffic here, 0.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N528AM), 5 recorded passestypically 4,950–6,300 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Phelan?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 17% of the 302 helicopter passes recorded over Phelan. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 10 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 4,150–4,900 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 Phelan?

Air ambulances account for 7% of the 302 helicopter passes recorded over Phelan. The one you see most is Air Methods (N528AM), 5 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,950–6,300 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 Phelan?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,550–5,400 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 4,150–4,900 ft; military helicopters at 4,450–6,250 ft; air ambulances at 4,950–6,300 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 Phelan?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 9.1 hours overhead across 172 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.