Helicopters over Acton

Private and charter helicopters over Acton

399 of 888 recorded passes over Acton were private and charter helicopters — 45% of the traffic here, 28.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Blue Sky (N286G), 29 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 4,200–5,200 ft

Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

Fire helicopters over Acton

236 of 888 recorded passes over Acton were fire helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 12.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 30 recorded passestypically 4,200–4,750 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Sheriff's helicopters over Acton

154 of 888 recorded passes over Acton were sheriff's helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 9.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 15 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 4,300–4,800 ft

Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

Military helicopters over Acton

38 of 888 recorded passes over Acton were military helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 2.1 hours overhead in total.

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Why is a fire helicopter over Acton?

Fire helicopters account for 27% of the 888 helicopter passes recorded over Acton. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 30 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,200–4,750 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Acton?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 17% of the 888 helicopter passes recorded over Acton. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 15 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 4,300–4,800 ft above sea level. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

How high do helicopters fly over Acton?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,200–5,200 ft; fire helicopters at 4,200–4,750 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 4,300–4,800 ft. These are the middle half of measured altitudes above sea level for each group, not a floor or a ceiling.

How long do helicopters stay over Acton?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 28.3 hours overhead across 399 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

How can I tell if it's police or a news helicopter?

Police aircraft usually fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot and often stay for a long time. News helicopters tend to hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after an incident is already underway. This page labels each aircraft by its operator, so you don't have to guess.

Where does this data come from?

GTLA Live tracks public ADS-B and MLAT broadcasts that aircraft transmit about their own position, the same open data used by air-traffic enthusiasts worldwide. It is updated every few seconds.