Helicopters over Canyon Country

Fire and air-medical helicopters over Canyon Country

233 of 675 recorded passes over Canyon Country were fire and air-medical helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 17.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Fire/EMS (N15LA), 21 recorded passestypically 2,250–3,050 ft

Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Private and charter helicopters over Canyon Country

225 of 675 recorded passes over Canyon Country were private and charter helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 12.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LADWP (N704WP), 19 recorded passesusually 7am–10amtypically 2,150–3,850 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 Canyon Country

120 of 675 recorded passes over Canyon Country were sheriff's helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 8.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N959LA), 18 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 2,100–2,650 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 Canyon Country

68 of 675 recorded passes over Canyon Country were news helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 3.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 2,200–2,950 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 fire helicopter over Canyon Country?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 35% of the 675 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is Fire/EMS (N15LA), 21 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,250–3,050 ft above sea level. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Canyon Country?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 18% of the 675 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is LASD (N959LA), 18 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 2,100–2,650 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 Canyon Country?

News helicopters account for 10% of the 675 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 2pm–5pm here. They typically fly at 2,200–2,950 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 Canyon Country?

From the passes recorded here: fire and air-medical helicopters at 2,250–3,050 ft; private and charter helicopters at 2,150–3,850 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,100–2,650 ft; news helicopters at 2,200–2,950 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 Canyon Country?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are fire and air-medical helicopters: 17.9 hours overhead across 233 recorded passes. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

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 AirWatch 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.