Helicopters over Sunset Beach

Private and charter helicopters over Sunset Beach

380 of 624 recorded passes over Sunset Beach were private and charter helicopters — 61% of the traffic here, 8.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Maverick (N853MH), 17 recorded passestypically 500–1,100 ft

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

News helicopters over Sunset Beach

93 of 624 recorded passes over Sunset Beach were news helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 16 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 800–1,100 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.

Military helicopters over Sunset Beach

64 of 624 recorded passes over Sunset Beach were military helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 5 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 550–1,050 ft

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

Police helicopters over Sunset Beach

43 of 624 recorded passes over Sunset Beach were police helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 9 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 500–850 ft

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 Sunset Beach?

News helicopters account for 15% of the 624 helicopter passes recorded over Sunset Beach. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 16 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 800–1,100 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Sunset Beach?

Police helicopters account for 7% of the 624 helicopter passes recorded over Sunset Beach. The one you see most is Huntington Beach PD (N682HB), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 500–850 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Sunset Beach?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 500–1,100 ft; news helicopters at 800–1,100 ft; military helicopters at 550–1,050 ft; police helicopters at 500–850 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 Sunset Beach?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 8.7 hours overhead across 380 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.