Exploring spatial patterns of overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve
Peterson BA, Hutchinson JM, Gurung B, Betchkal DH , Beeco JA. 2025. Exploring spatial patterns of overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/220. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2307459
This study explored spatial patterns of overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. Data were collected at Old Town Cantwell, Healy Radio Repeater, and K’esugi Ken Ranger Station. In total, overflights were analyzed from September 18th, 2021 to October 6th, 2022 (384 total days; 56 days of missing data) and May 25th, 2023 to September 13th, 2023 (112 total days; 0 days of missing data) using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data. Phase 1 of the analysis focused on all overflights and revealed the transportation network of overflights above DENA. Phase 2 of analysis focused on low-level overflights that fly at or below 21,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) and flew within 10 miles of the DENA boundary and found that the majority of waypoints were below 12,000 feet MSL. Phase 3 of analysis removed all overflights that were government flights, major airlines, and survey flights. The remaining flights were low-level overflights predominantly air tours. Kernel density analysis was conducted using waypoints segmented into 500 feet above ground level (AGL) altitude intervals. The altitude interval with the highest density of overflights was “0–500 feet AGL”. This information can be used for planning and management purposes and this study serves as a resource for future research that intends to use more advanced analytics.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Brian; Hutchinson, J.; Gurung, Bijan; Betchkal, Davyd; Beeco, J.
- Date of Issue
- 2025-02
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2307459
- Units
- DENA , NRSS , NSNSD
- Keywords
- ADS-B, low-level overflights, spatial patterns