Helicopters over Canyon Country

Private and charter helicopters over Canyon Country

469 of 1,217 recorded passes over Canyon Country were private and charter helicopters — 39% of the traffic here, 28.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Rotorcraft Support (N407GH), 18 recorded passestypically 2,250–3,100 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Canyon Country

372 of 1,217 recorded passes over Canyon Country were fire helicopters — 31% of the traffic here, 46.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 29 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 2,100–2,950 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Sheriff's helicopters over Canyon Country

222 of 1,217 recorded passes over Canyon Country were sheriff's helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 16.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 13 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 2,200–2,500 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

95 of 1,217 recorded passes over Canyon Country were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 7.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 3,150–3,800 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 fire helicopter over Canyon Country?

Fire helicopters account for 31% of the 1,217 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 29 recorded passes. They are usually 2pm–5pm here. They typically fly at 2,100–2,950 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — 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 1,217 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 2,200–2,500 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 8% of the 1,217 helicopter passes recorded over Canyon Country. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 2pm–5pm here. They typically fly at 3,150–3,800 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 Canyon Country?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 2,250–3,100 ft; fire helicopters at 2,100–2,950 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,200–2,500 ft; news helicopters at 3,150–3,800 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 Canyon Country?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are fire helicopters: 46.2 hours overhead across 372 recorded passes. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — 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 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.