Helicopters over San Marino

Police helicopters over San Marino

339 of 546 recorded passes over San Marino were police helicopters — 62% of the traffic here, 18.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 90 recorded passestypically 1,600–1,900 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

86 of 546 recorded passes over San Marino were private and charter helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Brewer Wesley G (N52716), 3 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,300–1,600 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

52 of 546 recorded passes over San Marino were news helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 1.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (N71HD), 8 recorded passestypically 1,450–1,900 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

51 of 546 recorded passes over San Marino were sheriff's helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 1.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD Air Rescue 5 (N951LB), 4 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 1,200–1,400 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 62% of the 546 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 90 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,600–1,900 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 10% of the 546 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is AIR7 (N71HD), 8 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,450–1,900 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 9% of the 546 helicopter passes recorded over San Marino. The one you see most is LASD Air Rescue 5 (N951LB), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,400 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 1,600–1,900 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,300–1,600 ft; news helicopters at 1,450–1,900 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,200–1,400 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: 18.4 hours overhead across 339 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 AirWatch 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.