Helicopters over Bell Gardens

Sheriff's helicopters over Bell Gardens

1,939 of 2,642 recorded passes over Bell Gardens were sheriff's helicopters — 73% of the traffic here, 61.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 42 recorded passestypically 650–850 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Bell Gardens

250 of 2,642 recorded passes over Bell Gardens were private and charter helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 7.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Robinson Helicopter (N13FR), 9 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 900–1,100 ft

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

News helicopters over Bell Gardens

226 of 2,642 recorded passes over Bell Gardens were news helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 8.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 11 recorded passesusually 6am–9amtypically 950–1,300 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.

Police helicopters over Bell Gardens

138 of 2,642 recorded passes over Bell Gardens were police helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 5.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N229LA), 5 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 900–1,400 ft

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 sheriff's helicopter over Bell Gardens?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 73% of the 2,642 helicopter passes recorded over Bell Gardens. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 42 recorded passes. They typically fly at 650–850 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 Bell Gardens?

News helicopters account for 9% of the 2,642 helicopter passes recorded over Bell Gardens. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 6am–9am here. They typically fly at 950–1,300 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Bell Gardens?

Police helicopters account for 5% of the 2,642 helicopter passes recorded over Bell Gardens. The one you see most is LAPD (N229LA), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 11am–2pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,400 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Bell Gardens?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 650–850 ft; private and charter helicopters at 900–1,100 ft; news helicopters at 950–1,300 ft; police helicopters at 900–1,400 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 Bell Gardens?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 61.7 hours overhead across 1,939 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.