Helicopters over Baldwin Park

Private and charter helicopters over Baldwin Park

143 of 457 recorded passes over Baldwin Park were private and charter helicopters — 31% of the traffic here, 3.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Universal Aviators Academy (N16HF), 8 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 950–1,450 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Baldwin Park

138 of 457 recorded passes over Baldwin Park were sheriff's helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 5.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 18 recorded passestypically 900–1,250 ft

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

Police helicopters over Baldwin Park

64 of 457 recorded passes over Baldwin Park were police helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 11 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 1,200–1,600 ft

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

News helicopters over Baldwin Park

49 of 457 recorded passes over Baldwin Park were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (N71HD), 12 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,450–5,500 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Baldwin Park?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 30% of the 457 helicopter passes recorded over Baldwin Park. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 18 recorded passes. They typically fly at 900–1,250 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Baldwin Park?

Police helicopters account for 14% of the 457 helicopter passes recorded over Baldwin Park. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 10pm–1am here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,600 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 Park?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 457 helicopter passes recorded over Baldwin Park. The one you see most is AIR7 (N71HD), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 1,450–5,500 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 Park?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 950–1,450 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 900–1,250 ft; police helicopters at 1,200–1,600 ft; news helicopters at 1,450–5,500 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 Park?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 5.9 hours overhead across 138 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.