Helicopters over Baldwin Hills

Police helicopters over Baldwin Hills

276 of 369 recorded passes over Baldwin Hills were police helicopters — 75% of the traffic here, 11.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N213PF), 26 recorded passestypically 600–800 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 Baldwin Hills

49 of 369 recorded passes over Baldwin Hills were private and charter helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Emerald City Aircraft (N7530M), 10 recorded passestypically 700–850 ft

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

News helicopters over Baldwin Hills

31 of 369 recorded passes over Baldwin Hills were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 6 recorded passestypically 900–1,300 ft

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 police helicopter circling over Baldwin Hills?

Police helicopters account for 75% of the 369 helicopter passes recorded over Baldwin Hills. The one you see most is LAPD (N213PF), 26 recorded passes. They typically fly at 600–800 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Baldwin Hills?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 369 helicopter passes recorded over Baldwin Hills. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 900–1,300 ft above sea level. 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 Baldwin Hills?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 600–800 ft; private and charter helicopters at 700–850 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,300 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 Baldwin Hills?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 11.1 hours overhead across 276 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 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.