Helicopters over Pomona

Private and charter helicopters over Pomona

391 of 774 recorded passes over Pomona were private and charter helicopters — 51% of the traffic here, 15.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Polar Star (N4043P), 6 recorded passestypically 1,450–2,000 ft

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

Police helicopters over Pomona

149 of 774 recorded passes over Pomona were police helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 15.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Chino PD (N710PD), 15 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,750 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

News helicopters over Pomona

62 of 774 recorded passes over Pomona were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 3.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 8 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,600–1,800 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.

Sheriff's helicopters over Pomona

51 of 774 recorded passes over Pomona were sheriff's helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 5 recorded passestypically 1,250–1,550 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Pomona?

Police helicopters account for 19% of the 774 helicopter passes recorded over Pomona. The one you see most is Chino PD (N710PD), 15 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,500–1,750 ft above sea level. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Is that a news helicopter over Pomona?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 774 helicopter passes recorded over Pomona. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,600–1,800 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Pomona?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 7% of the 774 helicopter passes recorded over Pomona. The one you see most is San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept (N833SB), 5 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,250–1,550 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Pomona?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,450–2,000 ft; police helicopters at 1,500–1,750 ft; news helicopters at 1,600–1,800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,250–1,550 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 Pomona?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 15.9 hours overhead across 391 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.