Helicopters over Bellflower

Sheriff's helicopters over Bellflower

937 of 2,617 recorded passes over Bellflower were sheriff's helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 38.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 23 recorded passestypically 550–700 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 Bellflower

871 of 2,617 recorded passes over Bellflower were private and charter helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 30.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Long Beach (N28LB), 23 recorded passestypically 500–700 ft

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

Police helicopters over Bellflower

613 of 2,617 recorded passes over Bellflower were police helicopters — 23% of the traffic here, 23.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyKnight (N930DK), 37 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 450–650 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 Bellflower

146 of 2,617 recorded passes over Bellflower were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 3 recorded passestypically 700–1,100 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 Bellflower?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 36% of the 2,617 helicopter passes recorded over Bellflower. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 23 recorded passes. They typically fly at 550–700 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Bellflower?

Police helicopters account for 23% of the 2,617 helicopter passes recorded over Bellflower. The one you see most is SkyKnight (N930DK), 37 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 450–650 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 Bellflower?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 2,617 helicopter passes recorded over Bellflower. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 3 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–1,100 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 Bellflower?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 550–700 ft; private and charter helicopters at 500–700 ft; police helicopters at 450–650 ft; news helicopters at 700–1,100 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 Bellflower?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 38.1 hours overhead across 937 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.