Need educated here

[Publius]

just had four possibly five helicopters fly past my place. In loose formation, looked like bell rangers but they were hauling and it was through the trees.

So two things, four birds flying similar trajectory of life flight birds towards St. Louis.
Seems odd four life lights would take off at same time and course.

Second they were not on flight tracker or ABS-exchange.

I know it’s almost certainly nothing weird. I’m just curious.

 

[Deleted account]

Without knowing who these choppers belonged to there's no way to make an educated guess, and "looked like Bell Rangers" is hardly an accurate description. The Bell Ranger was retired over 50 years ago; those things would be absolute museum pieces by now, and it takes much more effort to maintain a vintage helicopter than a vintage plane (a helicopter is famously described as "10 thousand parts flying in close formation"), so I suspect you may have misidentified the type.

Still, if it was the military then it wouldn't seem all that extraordinary. They do train, you know...

 

[Publius]

I’m not saying it’s anything. I was just curious seeing four helicopters, on the surface non-military. Flying an identical flight path together. While at same time evidently not using a transponder. Checked ADS-B Exchange and flighttracker. Not on either.
Just checking to see if someone has seen or familiar with this type of flight profile.

 

[Deleted account]

I’m not saying it’s anything. I was just curious seeing four helicopters, on the surface non-military. Flying an identical flight path together. While at same time evidently not using a transponder. Checked ADS-B Exchange and flighttracker. Not on either.

Won't show up on either if they don't have ADS-B Out - and they don't technically need it if you live out in the sticks, since ADS-B is only mandated in Class C and within 30 miles of Class B airports (also over water, but that doesn't apply here).

 

[NuclearID]

I’m not saying it’s anything. I was just curious seeing four helicopters, on the surface non-military. Flying an identical flight path together. While at same time evidently not using a transponder. Checked ADS-B Exchange and flighttracker. Not on either.
Just checking to see if someone has seen or familiar with this type of flight profile.

Happens all the time here in the Tampa Bay area. Military choppers routinely fly low to ground in formation and fly fast. Shakes the fucking house everytime. But I do live like 20 miles away from a major airforce base. So... live near a airforce base or national guard base?