Helicopters over San Marino

Police helicopters over San Marino

631 of 1,000 recorded passes over San Marino were police helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 34.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 80 recorded passestypically 1,600–2,100 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over San Marino

149 of 1,000 recorded passes over San Marino were private and charter helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 3.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky High Helicopters (N4053T), 3 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,800 ft

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

News helicopters over San Marino

91 of 1,000 recorded passes over San Marino were news helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 7 recorded passestypically 1,400–2,000 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 San Marino

83 of 1,000 recorded passes over San Marino were sheriff's helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 2.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 6 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 1,200–1,500 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 San Marino?

Police helicopters account for 63% of the 1,000 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 80 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,600–2,100 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 San Marino?

News helicopters account for 9% of the 1,000 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 7 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,400–2,000 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 San Marino?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 8% of the 1,000 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 12pm–3pm here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,500 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 San Marino?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,600–2,100 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,300–1,800 ft; news helicopters at 1,400–2,000 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,200–1,500 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 Marino?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 34.6 hours overhead across 631 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.