Update at 9:40 a.m. — Mystery solved: the helicopter was being used for aerial photography of Rosslyn.
We were taking aerial photos of Rosslyn. pic.twitter.com/OwB1fbhYaL
— VSIAERIAL (@vsi_aerial) November 5, 2020
Earlier: A helicopter was circling near the Rosslyn area around lunchtime today (Wednesday), though it’s unclear what exactly it’s doing.
The helicopter belongs to a private aviation company that works on projects for utility companies and government agencies. The same chopper has been conducting other flights around parts of Virginia over the past couple of weeks, and was reportedly spotted over Old Town Alexandria last year.
Today’s flight originated at Manassas Regional Airport, according to flight tracking websites.
Private aircraft traffic in close proximity to D.C. is tightly regulated and mostly limited to airlines going to and from Reagan National Airport. Some exceptions are made, however, for flyovers, aerial filming and other special purposes.
More from Twitter:
#N894HA is a B06 at altitude: 750ft pic.twitter.com/ckBzENzB8i
— Helicopters of DC (@HelicoptersofDC) November 4, 2020
N894HA, a Bell 206-B-3, is circling over North Highlands, Arlington at 950 feet, speed 54 MPH, squawking 4613, 0.01 miles from Bay-Eva Castle #N894HA https://t.co/Flrs2YdQv6 pic.twitter.com/oiO9Dwazel
— Advisory Circular DC (@SkyCirclesDC) November 4, 2020
Anyone know what the low-flying helicoper has been doing over the area between Courthouse and Rosslyn for at least the last-half hour? @ARLnowDOTcom
— Ria Galanos (@cscheerleader) November 4, 2020
Hey #AvGeeks … anyone know who owns a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, registration N894HA? It’s flying low-level around Old Town Alexandria, which is usually restricted to only military and law enforcement helicopters 🚁 pic.twitter.com/Df6uNaGQ0b
— Marcus Weisgerber (@MarcusReports) October 2, 2019
File photo