Helicopters over Tehachapi

Private and charter helicopters over Tehachapi

189 of 286 recorded passes over Tehachapi were private and charter helicopters — 66% of the traffic here, 14.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N645AM), 14 recorded passestypically 4,750–6,000 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Tehachapi

54 of 286 recorded passes over Tehachapi were fire helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 4.8 hours overhead in total.

usually 11am–2pmtypically 4,250–5,500 ft

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

Military helicopters over Tehachapi

31 of 286 recorded passes over Tehachapi were military helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 4.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (N80BH), 11 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 5,350–6,250 ft

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

Air ambulances over Tehachapi

10 of 286 recorded passes over Tehachapi were air ambulances — 3% of the traffic here, 0.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N528AM), 4 recorded passestypically 4,600–5,400 ft

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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Tehachapi?

Fire helicopters account for 19% of the 286 helicopter passes recorded over Tehachapi. They are usually 11am–2pm here. They typically fly at 4,250–5,500 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that an air ambulance over Tehachapi?

Air ambulances account for 3% of the 286 helicopter passes recorded over Tehachapi. The one you see most is Air Methods (N528AM), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,600–5,400 ft above sea level. 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 Tehachapi?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,750–6,000 ft; fire helicopters at 4,250–5,500 ft; military helicopters at 5,350–6,250 ft; air ambulances at 4,600–5,400 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 Tehachapi?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 14.4 hours overhead across 189 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.