Helicopters over Cypress

Military helicopters over Cypress

523 of 1,521 recorded passes over Cypress were military helicopters — 34% of the traffic here, 18.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 45 recorded passesusually 7pm–10pmtypically 200–700 ft

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Private and charter helicopters over Cypress

412 of 1,521 recorded passes over Cypress were private and charter helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 11.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Anthelion Helicopters (N995NR), 7 recorded passestypically 1,150–1,500 ft

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

Police helicopters over Cypress

284 of 1,521 recorded passes over Cypress were police helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 27.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N229LA), 16 recorded passestypically 100–1,000 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 Cypress

148 of 1,521 recorded passes over Cypress were sheriff's helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 12.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N963SD), 13 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 150–900 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 Cypress?

Police helicopters account for 19% of the 1,521 helicopter passes recorded over Cypress. The one you see most is LAPD (N229LA), 16 recorded passes. They typically fly at 100–1,000 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 Cypress?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 10% of the 1,521 helicopter passes recorded over Cypress. The one you see most is LASD (N963SD), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 150–900 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 Cypress?

From the passes recorded here: military helicopters at 200–700 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,150–1,500 ft; police helicopters at 100–1,000 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 150–900 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 Cypress?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 27.6 hours overhead across 284 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.