Who is flying over my house

Download the Flightradar24 app. Open it up and click the location tracking arrow to move the map to your current location. You should see a plane or many depending on your location. Here are two different views depending on the level of detail you want.

Once you see a little moving plane, click on it. All the nerdy flight data should pop up. All the facts you never knew you needed. The plane icons will move as the app follows every route in real-time. So you could follow a flight all the way from Chicago to Tokyo if you really wanted.

One of the coolest features: viewing flights in 3D. Yes, you can follow flights while seeing what pilots see. Here are two examples:. Air Force and Army to the National Guard and Navy, helicopters have an important role to play in all major military branches. Some of these military branches may have bases that are located in an area that is near your house. Helicopters might therefore need to fly over your house during training operations and to get back to base. Police helicopters play a very important role in law enforcement and have the unique advantage of being able to track the movement of suspects thanks to being equipped with thermal imaging equipment and spotlights, as well as being able to survey a large area.

Violent crimes in progress, pursuits, property crimes, traffic stops, and perimeters are the most common reasons why you might hear a helicopter flying overhead. Police helicopters also come in handy when there is a large public gathering taking place and the department wants to be able to better monitor everything that is going on. Search and rescue operations are another common reason why you might see and hear a helicopter flying over residential areas.

This may include responding to a crime scene or a car accident. If a homeowner sees a military helicopter flying overhead, it may be operated by the local police department instead of the military. The altitude of the helicopter also places the pilots at a steeper angle compared to someone on the ground. However, some law enforcement helicopters are equipped with technologies that let them track movement inside houses.

For example, the police may use thermal image cameras to track people through homes and buildings. Thermal image cameras detect the infrared radiation given off by humans and animals. This can be used to detect movement but does not provide a complete view of the inside of the property.

Helicopters can operate at less than the minimum altitude required for fixed-wing aircraft. While airplanes need to maintain an altitude of feet over land and 1, feet over congested areas, helicopters can fly much lower. The FAA allows helicopters to fly at any altitude if the operation of the helicopter is conducted without any hazard to people or property on the ground.