iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A Fairfax County Police helicopter circled over Ballston around 2pm, reporting a ‘special mission’ on the radio. Anyone know what that’s about, or heard that language before? Check it out on copterspotter.com

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

CopterSpotter is now installable as an app from your browser — full screen, no tabs, feels native. Works on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. On desktop, you'll also get automatic notifications when CircleBot flags something or a new event is posted.

CopterSpotter installed as an app on iOS

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

We now surface events related to helicopter flights, like police activity through AlertDC or major events hand-posted by our moderators, so you know why the sky just got busy. We also monitor the White House schedule, so you can see when Marine One departures and arrivals are expected.

An event notice for expecting elevated helicopter activity from federal operators for the state of the union address

An White House schedule event which shows a scheduled Presidential departure by helicopter.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Meet CircleBot. It automatically detects circling helicopters & flags them on the map. Anyone can add context to a spot: radio calls, news links, info about what is going on, anything useful. Directly inspired by John Wiseman's groundbreaking advisory circular bots (lemonodor.bsky.social)

the copterspotter UI in light mode with a circlebot spot selected

the UI for adding details to circlebot spots

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The map now auto-switches between light and dark mode based on sunrise and sunset, or you can pin it to whichever you prefer. We also added a heatmap layer that shows where flights concentrate across the region.

the copterspotter UI in light mode with heatmap enabled under the advanced menu

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

If you got caught up in the Epstein files and America’s latest foreign war you might have missed the Pentagon’s threats to a private company for not providing technology to make autonomous death robots and tools to surveil U.S. citizens. #ImWithClaude

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Unfortunate I told the Congressman’s Chief of Staff that military misuse of ADS-B was a problem on April 28, 2023 @militarytimes.bsky.social @defenseone.bsky.social @twz.com

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Senate Passes Defense Policy Bill, Clearing It for Trump - allowing reckless flight behavior in NCR to continue… www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Instead of waiting for the FAA to issue or revise regulations within a year, the legislation would upon enactment prohibit the Army from turning off a location-transmitting technology on various helicopter flights. The equipment, known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast.

Instead of waiting for the FAA to issue or revise regulations within a ycar, the Iogislation would upon cnactment prohibit the Army from turning off a location-transmitting technology on various helicopter flights. The equipment, known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, or ADS-B Out, gives air traffic controllers insight into an aircraft's speed, altitude and location.
The legislation would also expand the scope of this restriction from applying to proficiency and training missions near busy airports to all such flights, regardless of airport proximity, and to foderal officials "below the rank" of Cabinet members.
ADS-B Out wasn't engaged on the Black Hawk that collided with a PSA. Airlines regional jet in January, killing 67 people.
The bill would also mandate that aircraft that are already roquired to have ADS-B Out installed also have a related technology, ADS-B In, equipped no later than Doc. 31, 203i.
Initially, Cruz's legislation didn't have an explicit date for this roquirement to take effoct.
The bill would mandate that the FAA establish an office for coordinating airspace issucs with the Defense Department and would require the aviation agency to conduct safety reviews related to helicopter opcrations around busy airports.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Today FAA updated Helicopter Routes 1 and 5 to remain restricted to priority aircraft only medical, and law enforcement unless specifically authorized by air traffic control – a change made immediately following the DCA midair collision. The FAA reduced the boundaries of Zones 1, 2, and 5.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

It’s been my hope for a few years that I could present my story at Nerd Nite DC and it’s happening SEPTEMBER 20th! Get tickets: bit.ly/septnerd25

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Jury of his peers ✊🥪 www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/u...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Had an absolute blast with the best tour guide!

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Check out my friend Matt’s talk Saturday at noon in RF Village. How much WiFi are YOU leaking to the skies above??? #defcon33

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Livestream today’s NTSB hearing on Flight 5342 at www.windrosemedia.com/livewebcast/...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

I don’t think this is the type of social post #FlyReagan wanted… I urge everyone to contact their representatives in support of the Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Very excited to be presenting “Voice Cloning Air Traffic Control: Vulnerabilities at Runway Crossings” at #DefCon 33 August 9th!

Voice Cloning Air Traffic Control: Vulnerabilities at Runway Crossings at Def Con 33 via #HackerTracker

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

This Black Hawk display seems tone deaf a mile from the crash site where 64 Americans died on Flight 5342

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Army helicopters used defunct route 4 en route to mall for parade display against FAA policy this morning

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Park Police circling Navy Yard/ NOMA suspected surveillance of military asset movement ahead of June 14th parade

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

This morning you may see or hear a low-flying helicopter around the U.S. Capitol for a routine photography flight.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Should have kept the Huey there from 1974 incident en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_Wh...

A black and white photo of a Vietnam era Huey helicopter on the White House lawn

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

CopterSpotter Update: Tagged helicopter spots now show flight paths! Tag spots by selecting a live aircraft or browsing nearby flights — even from the past. Check it out at Copterspotter.com

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

FYI The Air Force has tourism helicopters as well. They fly over our homes often without the mandatory flight safety transponders and have a history of emergency landings on local playgrounds.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Great piece on executive misuse of Park Police resources from @theatlantic.com utilizing our data set www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Four Air Force helos up today we used to see on ADS-B about once a year

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

It has been 0️⃣ days since the last DCA incident

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

You can see the difference with that morning's 9:15 P-8 Poseidon flyover.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

DCA failed to hold traffic for a scheduled (and even announced via AlertDC) flyover at Arlington Cemetery that created the Delta TCAS warning with Air Force T-38

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Senator Cantwell referenced the letter in Yesterday’s hearing on Flight 5342.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Now, I know there is something deceptive about floatation being volume displaced and not weight or something? But I need a scientist on this one. Wouldn’t recommend the movie fyi Triple Frontier is the same concept done better imo

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

DHS lied and said only part of ADS-B is disabled despite their AS50's being some of the most photographed over the city without EVER being on a flight tracker.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

DoD said Air Force 1st Helicopter Squadron and Army 12th Aviation Battalion (PAT25) disable ADS-B 100% of the time.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Norton responded by sending this letter to DoD, DHS, FAA and Park Police questioning the disabling of ADS-B safety transponders.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Here is the handout I gave to @Norton.House.gov and @beyer.house.gov's staff April 23, 2023: DC Helicopter Transparency and Safety

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Photos from inside a 12th Aviation Battalion UH-60 from Leesburg Air Show 2021

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Best take I’ve heard so far on situational awareness and the human element of last night’s crash.

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Striking photo from David, one of the cameramen at yesterday’s inauguration ceremony

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

CBS clips of N2415 Nuclear Security Administration helicopter used to perform pre-inauguration background radiation survey

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Helicopters of DC @helicoptersofdc.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

DHS helicopters that were active last inauguration and do not utilize ADSB-out (do not appear on flight trackers)

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