Why Security Helicopters Are Buzzing The Bay Area This Week

The Super Bowl is just days away, and federal authorities have started carrying out additional security preparations across the Bay Area. If you live in the area, you may have noticed a helicopter flying at low altitude. It is conducting aerial sweeps to measure background radiation levels. The flights are part of routine preparations tied to event security.

Officials have confirmed that the aerial inspections will continue through tomorrow. Every year, the federal government, along with its state and local counterparts, outlines comprehensive efforts to keep major events like the Super Bowl safe. As part of this longstanding safety plan, authorities have been conducting aerial inspections and related precautionary flights for years.

The Helicopter Being Used Is Leonardo AW139

The helicopter being used for the current aerial surveys is a Leonardo AW139, operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as part of its Nuclear Emergency Support Team. The aircraft is equipped with radiation-sensing technology, which is designed to measure normal background radiation levels. According to Patch, the helicopter is flown in a grid pattern at an altitude of around 150 feet and at speeds of roughly 80 miles per hour.

The data collected during these flights establishes baseline radiation readings, and in the event of a radiological release, those measurements would allow authorities to assess conditions that could affect public health and the environment. As understood by Simple Flying, the flyovers are conducted only during daylight hours and are estimated to take approximately two hours to complete per area. The NNSA said:

“These aerial radiation surveys are a normal and routine part of security and emergency preparedness activities.”

FAA Has Established “No Drone Zones” Across The Bay Area Ahead Of Super Bowl

Beyond the helicopter activity, federal authorities have also put extensive drone restrictions in place ahead of the game. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established multiple “No Drone Zones” across the Bay Area in the days leading up to the game. The restrictions apply to both San Francisco and Santa Clara and are intended to support overall event security.

As per the regulator’s website, beginning February 3, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations are prohibited around several key San Francisco venues, including Moscone Center, The Pearl, the Ferry Building, and Grace Cathedral. These areas are restricted within a two-nautical-mile radius extending up to 2,000 feet from 02:00 PM to 11:00 PM on February 3 and 4. From February 5 through February 7, the restricted hours expand from 08:00 AM until 01:00 AM the following day.

In addition, on February 5, additional restrictions will also be in effect at the Palace of Fine Arts, covering a one-nautical-mile radius up to 1,000 feet from 02:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Furthermore, on February 8, a two-nautical-mile exclusion zone extending to 2,000 feet will be in effect at Levi’s Stadium, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. During the game itself, from 02:30 PM to 08:30 PM, the restricted airspace will expand to a 30-nautical-mile radius reaching up to 18,000 feet. Post-game restrictions will remain in place within a two-nautical-mile radius up to 2,000 feet until 10:30 PM.