HELICOPTERS

Why helicopters need tracking

Helicopters operate from remote helipads, private airstrips, and offshore platforms, often outside the reach of standard aviation radar coverage at low altitude. A dedicated tracking device closes that gap. Operators use it to confirm departure and arrival times, to locate an aircraft after an unscheduled landing, and to support insurance and security requirements for high-value assets that are frequently parked unattended.

For fleet managers running more than one aircraft, a tracker also gives a consolidated view of utilization: flight hours, routes flown, and time spent on the ground, all from one platform rather than separate logs.

How to choose a helicopter tracking device

Selection depends mainly on power source and backup requirements.

• Power input: helicopters commonly run 14V or 28V systems; confirm the tracker accepts the aircraft's voltage range without an external converter.
• Backup battery: a device with its own internal battery keeps reporting location even if main power is cut or disconnected, which matters for theft or unauthorized movement scenarios.
• Reporting frequency: for aircraft, more frequent position updates during flight give a more accurate track of the route actually flown.
• Mounting: the installer should fit the unit in a location shielded from direct engine heat and vibration peaks, with the GPS antenna given a clear sky view.

The Teltonika ATC700 4G is built around continuous vehicle and aircraft monitoring with 4G connectivity for fast data transmission. The Teltonika TAT140 4G is designed as a backup tracker with its own battery, useful as a second independent unit that keeps reporting if the primary power feed is interrupted.

Installation and the subscription

Installation should be carried out by a technician familiar with aircraft wiring, respecting the helicopter's own electrical and maintenance procedures. Entopizo installers position the unit and antenna correctly and confirm signal and GPS fix before handover.

Every tracker from Entopizo is activated on our own platform with our own SIM card included in the subscription. This covers data transmission, access to the live tracking platform and mobile apps, and configurable alerts such as unauthorized movement, geofence exit, or power disconnection. A tracker bought without a subscription only stores or broadcasts raw GPS data with no SIM connectivity, no platform to view it on, and no alerting, so the owner has to source a SIM, build a receiving system, and maintain it. Our subscription removes that work and keeps the device online from day one.

Real use cases

A tour operator running several helicopters from one base uses the platform to confirm each aircraft's return before closing the hangar for the night. A private owner storing a helicopter at a remote airstrip relies on the backup tracker to raise an alert if the aircraft is moved without authorization. An agricultural operator uses flight history to document hours flown per field contract.

Frequently asked questions

Can a GPS tracker work on a helicopter without affecting avionics?

Yes, when installed correctly by a qualified technician, these trackers run as an independent monitoring system and do not interface with flight instruments.

What happens if the helicopter loses main power?

A tracker with an internal backup battery, such as the TAT140 4G, continues reporting location for a period after main power is lost.

Do I need a subscription to use these trackers?

Yes, the SIM connectivity and platform access are provided through the subscription; without it the device has no way to send its position anywhere.

Can I track more than one helicopter on the same account?

Yes, the platform supports multiple aircraft and vehicles under a single fleet view.