Exploring spatial patterns of overflights at Haleakalā National Park
Gurung B, Hutchinson JM, Peterson BA, Beeco A, Anderson SJ, Joyce D. 2025. Exploring spatial patterns of overflights at Haleakalā National Park. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/224. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2308068
This study explored spatial patterns of overflights at Haleakalā National Park (HALE). Overflights were analyzed from June 3rd, 2020 to March 31st, 2023 using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data with a total of 689 days of data. Data were collected using two data loggers that were deployed at Kīpahulu Visitor Center and near Haleakalā Summit. The first phase of analysis focused on all overflights and found a high concentration of overflights along the flight corridors of commercial airlines and recommended air tour routes per the 1998 Letter of Agreement between Haleakala National Park and the Hawaii Air Tour Association (Maui). The second phase of analysis focused on low-level overflights that fly below 12,500 ft mean sea level (MSL) and within 10 miles of the HALE boundary. The phase 2 analysis includes six figures based on two seasons and show a concentration of flights between 6,501–12,500 ft MSL in and around the Summit District and a concentration of flights between 2,501–6,500 ft MSL in and around the Kīpahulu District. The third phase of analysis selected the likely air tours that were flown below 5,000 ft above ground level (AGL) and within 0.5-mile of the HALE boundary. Kernel density analyses were conducted using waypoints segmented into 500 ft above ground level (AGL) altitude intervals from 0–5,000 ft AGL. The altitude interval with the highest density of overflights was 2,501–3,000 ft AGL. Kernel density hot spots were observed above the southern rim of the Haleakalā Crater along the recommended air tour route. The majority of the likely air tours were conducted using rotorcraft and a map displaying their flight pattern is also shown. 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
- Gurung, Bijan; Hutchinson, J.; Peterson, Brian; Beeco, Adam; Anderson, Sharolyn; Joyce, Damon
- Date of Issue
- 2025-02
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2308068
- Units
- HALE , NRSS , NSNSD
- Keywords
- ADS-B, air tours, aircraft tracking, overflights, spatial analysis