Helicopters over Azusa

Live helicopter tracking for Azusa, Los Angeles County — updated every few seconds.

Area briefing

Azusa, Los Angeles County

Checking the sky overhead…

GTLA AirWatch · Live area briefing · positions from ADS-B, rechecked every 20 seconds

Map of Azusa, Los Angeles County
Scanning
Live map — checking for helicopters over Azusa… The dashed ring is the 3.5 km radius this page counts as “over Azusa”; inner rings mark one-third and two-thirds of that distance.

Today over Azusa

Nothing overhead now — quiet for the last 5 hours.

Verbs like “held over” and “circled” describe the recorded flight path, not what was happening on the ground. Nothing here states a crime, a fire or a casualty.

Who's hovering here?View the full live map

Recent incidents over Azusa

The sky over Azusa

730helicopter passes tracked over 66 days
77.4
passes per week
4.9
hours overhead per week
5 PM
busiest hour
Police
most common overhead

By hour of day

12a
3a
6a
9a
12p
3p
6p
9p
Busiest hour: 5p · this hour (1p) has averaged 23 passes historically

Who flies over Azusa

  • Police41%
  • Private22%
  • Fire / medical16%
  • Sheriff9%
  • News7%
  • Other5%

The regulars over Azusa

The aircraft recorded here most often — the ones you’ll see again.

Who flies over Azusa, by the numbers

Police helicopters over Azusa

299 of 730 recorded passes over Azusa were police helicopters — 41% of the traffic here, 18.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 52 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,800 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Private and charter helicopters over Azusa

163 of 730 recorded passes over Azusa were private and charter helicopters — 22% of the traffic here, 5.6 hours overhead in total.

typically 1,100–1,900 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 Azusa

114 of 730 recorded passes over Azusa were fire and air-medical helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 14.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N120LA), 13 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,450–2,800 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 Azusa

67 of 730 recorded passes over Azusa were sheriff's helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 2.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,050–1,350 ft

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

What it usually means

Police (LAPD / municipal): Police helicopters typically orbit for a search, a pursuit, or to support officers on the ground. A tight circle overhead usually means the activity is directly below.

Private / civil: Private and civil helicopters are usually in transit, on a charter, or on a survey flight.

Fire / medical: Fire and air-medical helicopters mean a fire response, a rescue, or a hospital transport — often brief, and often at low altitude.

Sheriff (LASD): Sheriff's helicopters typically orbit for a search, a pursuit, or to support deputies on the ground.

Recent helicopter activity

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Helicopters over Azusa common questions

Why is a police helicopter circling over Azusa?

Police helicopters account for 41% of the 730 helicopter passes recorded over Azusa. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 52 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,500–1,800 ft above sea level. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

Why is a fire helicopter over Azusa?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 16% of the 730 helicopter passes recorded over Azusa. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N120LA), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,450–2,800 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 Azusa?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 9% of the 730 helicopter passes recorded over Azusa. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 1,050–1,350 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 Azusa?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,500–1,800 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,100–1,900 ft; fire and air-medical helicopters at 1,450–2,800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,050–1,350 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 Azusa?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 18.6 hours overhead across 299 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.

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