Helicopters over Simi Valley

Private and charter helicopters over Simi Valley

299 of 471 recorded passes over Simi Valley were private and charter helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 20.3 hours overhead in total.

usually 12pm–3pmtypically 1,600–2,900 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Simi Valley

79 of 471 recorded passes over Simi Valley were fire helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 7.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Ventura Co. Fire (N60VC), 11 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,300–2,050 ft

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

Military helicopters over Simi Valley

32 of 471 recorded passes over Simi Valley were military helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 4 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 2,400–4,900 ft

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

News helicopters over Simi Valley

27 of 471 recorded passes over Simi Valley were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 3.4 hours overhead in total.

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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Simi Valley?

Fire helicopters account for 17% of the 471 helicopter passes recorded over Simi Valley. The one you see most is Ventura Co. Fire (N60VC), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,300–2,050 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 news helicopter over Simi Valley?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 471 helicopter passes recorded over Simi Valley. 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 Simi Valley?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,600–2,900 ft; fire helicopters at 1,300–2,050 ft; military helicopters at 2,400–4,900 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 Simi Valley?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 20.3 hours overhead across 299 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.