Helicopters over Chinatown

Police helicopters over Chinatown

3,040 of 4,065 recorded passes over Chinatown were police helicopters — 75% of the traffic here, 150.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N267LA), 32 recorded passestypically 550–900 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Chinatown

598 of 4,065 recorded passes over Chinatown were private and charter helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 18.4 hours overhead in total.

usually 5pm–8pmtypically 1,100–1,400 ft

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

News helicopters over Chinatown

181 of 4,065 recorded passes over Chinatown were news helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 14.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 8 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 1,400–2,000 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.

Sheriff's helicopters over Chinatown

148 of 4,065 recorded passes over Chinatown were sheriff's helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 10.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 5 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 500–950 ft

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 Chinatown?

Police helicopters account for 75% of the 4,065 helicopter passes recorded over Chinatown. The one you see most is LAPD (N267LA), 32 recorded passes. They typically fly at 550–900 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 Chinatown?

News helicopters account for 4% of the 4,065 helicopter passes recorded over Chinatown. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 1,400–2,000 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Chinatown?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 4% of the 4,065 helicopter passes recorded over Chinatown. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 12pm–3pm here. They typically fly at 500–950 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Chinatown?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 550–900 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,100–1,400 ft; news helicopters at 1,400–2,000 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 500–950 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 Chinatown?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 150.6 hours overhead across 3,040 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.