Helicopters over Silverado Canyon

Private and charter helicopters over Silverado Canyon

266 of 797 recorded passes over Silverado Canyon were private and charter helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 55.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Vertical (N411MB), 11 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 1,800–3,200 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Silverado Canyon

202 of 797 recorded passes over Silverado Canyon were fire helicopters — 25% of the traffic here, 45.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 45 recorded passestypically 1,000–2,150 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Sheriff's helicopters over Silverado Canyon

162 of 797 recorded passes over Silverado Canyon were sheriff's helicopters — 20% of the traffic here, 19 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Orange Co Sheriff (N181SD), 5 recorded passesusually 8am–11amtypically 1,400–1,700 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 Silverado Canyon

117 of 797 recorded passes over Silverado Canyon were military helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 24.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (17-20928), 11 recorded passestypically 1,450–3,050 ft

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Silverado Canyon?

Fire helicopters account for 25% of the 797 helicopter passes recorded over Silverado Canyon. The one you see most is Orange Co Fire (N412FA), 45 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,000–2,150 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Silverado Canyon?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 20% of the 797 helicopter passes recorded over Silverado Canyon. The one you see most is Orange Co Sheriff (N181SD), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 8am–11am here. They typically fly at 1,400–1,700 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 Silverado Canyon?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,800–3,200 ft; fire helicopters at 1,000–2,150 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,400–1,700 ft; military helicopters at 1,450–3,050 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 Silverado Canyon?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 55.1 hours overhead across 266 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.