Helicopters over Yucaipa

Private and charter helicopters over Yucaipa

167 of 314 recorded passes over Yucaipa were private and charter helicopters — 53% of the traffic here, 4.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: PJ Helicopters (N809PJ), 77 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 3,050–4,200 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 Yucaipa

103 of 314 recorded passes over Yucaipa were sheriff's helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 9.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: San Bernardino Sheriff (N831SB), 24 recorded passestypically 2,750–3,050 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 Yucaipa

17 of 314 recorded passes over Yucaipa were military helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

typically 3,700–4,650 ft

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

Air ambulances over Yucaipa

12 of 314 recorded passes over Yucaipa were air ambulances — 4% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Air Methods (N766ME), 3 recorded passestypically 4,000–5,550 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Yucaipa?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 33% of the 314 helicopter passes recorded over Yucaipa. The one you see most is San Bernardino Sheriff (N831SB), 24 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,750–3,050 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.

Is that an air ambulance over Yucaipa?

Air ambulances account for 4% of the 314 helicopter passes recorded over Yucaipa. The one you see most is Air Methods (N766ME), 3 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,000–5,550 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 Yucaipa?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,050–4,200 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,750–3,050 ft; military helicopters at 3,700–4,650 ft; air ambulances at 4,000–5,550 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 Yucaipa?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 9.7 hours overhead across 103 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.