Helicopters over Santa Barbara

Private and charter helicopters over Santa Barbara

397 of 491 recorded passes over Santa Barbara were private and charter helicopters — 81% of the traffic here, 26.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N816CE), 26 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 600–1,550 ft

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

Military helicopters over Santa Barbara

54 of 491 recorded passes over Santa Barbara were military helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US NAVY (169454), 8 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 1,000–6,400 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Santa Barbara

20 of 491 recorded passes over Santa Barbara were sheriff's helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Santa Barbara Sheriffs Dept (N911KP), 4 recorded passes

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

Air ambulances over Santa Barbara

11 of 491 recorded passes over Santa Barbara were air ambulances — 2% of the traffic here, 0.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: REACH (N892CS), 7 recorded passes

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 Santa Barbara?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 4% of the 491 helicopter passes recorded over Santa Barbara. The one you see most is Santa Barbara Sheriffs Dept (N911KP), 4 recorded passes. 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 Santa Barbara?

Air ambulances account for 2% of the 491 helicopter passes recorded over Santa Barbara. The one you see most is REACH (N892CS), 7 recorded passes. 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 Santa Barbara?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 600–1,550 ft; military helicopters at 1,000–6,400 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 Santa Barbara?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 26.3 hours overhead across 397 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.