Helicopters over Piñon Hills

Private and charter helicopters over Piñon Hills

194 of 320 recorded passes over Piñon Hills were private and charter helicopters — 61% of the traffic here, 18.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: REACH (N36RX), 13 recorded passestypically 4,100–5,400 ft

Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

Military helicopters over Piñon Hills

54 of 320 recorded passes over Piñon Hills were military helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 2.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (22-14540), 4 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 3,850–5,600 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Piñon Hills

43 of 320 recorded passes over Piñon Hills were sheriff's helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 5.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 6 recorded passestypically 3,650–4,100 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 Piñon Hills

19 of 320 recorded passes over Piñon Hills were air ambulances — 6% of the traffic here, 1.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N528AM), 5 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 4,750–6,050 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 Piñon Hills?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 13% of the 320 helicopter passes recorded over Piñon Hills. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 3,650–4,100 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 Piñon Hills?

Air ambulances account for 6% of the 320 helicopter passes recorded over Piñon Hills. The one you see most is Air Methods (N528AM), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 4,750–6,050 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 Piñon Hills?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,100–5,400 ft; military helicopters at 3,850–5,600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,650–4,100 ft; air ambulances at 4,750–6,050 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 Piñon Hills?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 18.7 hours overhead across 194 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.