Helicopters over Temecula

Private and charter helicopters over Temecula

757 of 1,017 recorded passes over Temecula were private and charter helicopters — 74% of the traffic here, 98.6 hours overhead in total.

typically 1,300–1,600 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Temecula

112 of 1,017 recorded passes over Temecula were sheriff's helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 5.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Riverside Sheriff (N996RS), 15 recorded passesusually 7am–10amtypically 1,600–1,700 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Temecula

62 of 1,017 recorded passes over Temecula were fire helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: CAL FIRE (N478DF), 23 recorded passesusually 6pm–9pmtypically 1,200–1,950 ft

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

Military helicopters over Temecula

62 of 1,017 recorded passes over Temecula were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 3.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (18-20980), 6 recorded passes

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Temecula?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 11% of the 1,017 helicopter passes recorded over Temecula. The one you see most is Riverside Sheriff (N996RS), 15 recorded passes. They are usually 7am–10am here. They typically fly at 1,600–1,700 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Temecula?

Fire helicopters account for 6% of the 1,017 helicopter passes recorded over Temecula. The one you see most is CAL FIRE (N478DF), 23 recorded passes. They are usually 6pm–9pm here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,950 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Temecula?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,300–1,600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,600–1,700 ft; fire helicopters at 1,200–1,950 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 Temecula?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 98.6 hours overhead across 757 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.