What Was That Helicopter Over Palm Springs?

That helicopter flying low and in straight lines over Palm Springs last Saturday? It wasn’t spying, spraying, or part of a secret mission. It was N121LP, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger equipped with a stabilized aerial survey system—likely LiDAR or high-resolution photogrammetry. These kinds of flights are routine for mapping terrain, inspecting infrastructure, or documenting utility corridors.

Plenty of curiosity (and a few conspiracy theories) circulated, but it’s just data collection from above. I photographed it while it worked its grid over the city. But where are those Chemtrails!

April 7, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: aerial mapping, aerial survey, aircraft photography, aviation, Bell 206L-4, data collection, helicopter, LiDAR, low altitude flight, mapping, N121LP, Palm Springs, photogrammetry, urban legends, utility inspection | Leave a comment