Helicopters over Bixby Knolls

Private and charter helicopters over Bixby Knolls

1,501 of 2,795 recorded passes over Bixby Knolls were private and charter helicopters — 54% of the traffic here, 53.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Long Beach (N28LB), 40 recorded passestypically 450–600 ft

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

Police helicopters over Bixby Knolls

686 of 2,795 recorded passes over Bixby Knolls were police helicopters — 25% of the traffic here, 40.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyKnight (N930DK), 31 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 450–600 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Bixby Knolls

316 of 2,795 recorded passes over Bixby Knolls were sheriff's helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 13.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 12 recorded passesusually 1am–4amtypically 500–700 ft

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

News helicopters over Bixby Knolls

226 of 2,795 recorded passes over Bixby Knolls were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 10.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 5 recorded passesusually 7am–10amtypically 600–800 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 Bixby Knolls?

Police helicopters account for 25% of the 2,795 helicopter passes recorded over Bixby Knolls. The one you see most is SkyKnight (N930DK), 31 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 450–600 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 sheriff's helicopter over Bixby Knolls?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 11% of the 2,795 helicopter passes recorded over Bixby Knolls. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 1am–4am here. They typically fly at 500–700 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Bixby Knolls?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 2,795 helicopter passes recorded over Bixby Knolls. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 7am–10am here. They typically fly at 600–800 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 Bixby Knolls?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 450–600 ft; police helicopters at 450–600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 500–700 ft; news helicopters at 600–800 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 Bixby Knolls?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 53.6 hours overhead across 1,501 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.