Helicopters over Acton

Private and charter helicopters over Acton

144 of 368 recorded passes over Acton were private and charter helicopters — 39% of the traffic here, 9.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Us Bank Na (N411CE), 20 recorded passestypically 4,100–5,450 ft

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

Fire and air-medical helicopters over Acton

100 of 368 recorded passes over Acton were fire and air-medical helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 4.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 28 recorded passestypically 4,050–4,650 ft

Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Sheriff's helicopters over Acton

72 of 368 recorded passes over Acton were sheriff's helicopters — 20% of the traffic here, 4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N959LA), 12 recorded passestypically 4,300–4,700 ft

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

News helicopters over Acton

21 of 368 recorded passes over Acton were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 3 recorded passes

News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

Why is a fire helicopter over Acton?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 27% of the 368 helicopter passes recorded over Acton. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 28 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,050–4,650 ft above sea level. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Acton?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 20% of the 368 helicopter passes recorded over Acton. The one you see most is LASD (N959LA), 12 recorded passes. They typically fly at 4,300–4,700 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Acton?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 368 helicopter passes recorded over Acton. The one you see most is NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 3 recorded passes. News helicopters hold a wider circle at a higher altitude and arrive after a story is already underway; several at once usually means something is being covered live.

How high do helicopters fly over Acton?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 4,100–5,450 ft; fire and air-medical helicopters at 4,050–4,650 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 4,300–4,700 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: 9.9 hours overhead across 144 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 AirWatch 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.