Helicopters over San Clemente

Private and charter helicopters over San Clemente

283 of 608 recorded passes over San Clemente were private and charter helicopters — 47% of the traffic here, 9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helinet (N76FL), 10 recorded passestypically 650–2,000 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 San Clemente

141 of 608 recorded passes over San Clemente were sheriff's helicopters — 23% of the traffic here, 10.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 31 recorded passestypically 400–850 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 San Clemente

97 of 608 recorded passes over San Clemente were military helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 5 recorded passestypically 350–5,050 ft

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

News helicopters over San Clemente

36 of 608 recorded passes over San Clemente were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 9 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,000–5,600 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over San Clemente?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 23% of the 608 helicopter passes recorded over San Clemente. The one you see most is Orange County Sheriff's Department (N185SD), 31 recorded passes. They typically fly at 400–850 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 San Clemente?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 608 helicopter passes recorded over San Clemente. The one you see most is AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 1,000–5,600 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.

How high do helicopters fly over San Clemente?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 650–2,000 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 400–850 ft; military helicopters at 350–5,050 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–5,600 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 San Clemente?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 10.6 hours overhead across 141 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.