Helicopters over Downey

Sheriff's helicopters over Downey

2,267 of 3,239 recorded passes over Downey were sheriff's helicopters — 70% of the traffic here, 78.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 57 recorded passestypically 650–850 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Downey

547 of 3,239 recorded passes over Downey were private and charter helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 17.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Spitzer Helicopter (N273SH), 6 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 800–1,100 ft

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

News helicopters over Downey

257 of 3,239 recorded passes over Downey were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 6.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 900–1,200 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.

Police helicopters over Downey

96 of 3,239 recorded passes over Downey were police helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 4.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N229LA), 4 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 900–1,450 ft

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 Downey?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 70% of the 3,239 helicopter passes recorded over Downey. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 57 recorded passes. They typically fly at 650–850 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 Downey?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 3,239 helicopter passes recorded over Downey. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,200 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Downey?

Police helicopters account for 3% of the 3,239 helicopter passes recorded over Downey. The one you see most is LAPD (N229LA), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 12pm–3pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,450 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Downey?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 650–850 ft; private and charter helicopters at 800–1,100 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,200 ft; police helicopters at 900–1,450 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 Downey?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 78.7 hours overhead across 2,267 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.