Helicopters over Downtown

Police helicopters over Downtown

1,821 of 3,081 recorded passes over Downtown were police helicopters — 59% of the traffic here, 106.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 26 recorded passestypically 650–900 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 Downtown

718 of 3,081 recorded passes over Downtown were private and charter helicopters — 23% of the traffic here, 21.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Emerald City Aircraft (N7530M), 21 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 800–1,300 ft

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

News helicopters over Downtown

350 of 3,081 recorded passes over Downtown were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 15.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passestypically 1,000–1,300 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 Downtown

140 of 3,081 recorded passes over Downtown were sheriff's helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 6.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 7 recorded passestypically 800–1,050 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 Downtown?

Police helicopters account for 59% of the 3,081 helicopter passes recorded over Downtown. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 26 recorded passes. They typically fly at 650–900 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 Downtown?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 3,081 helicopter passes recorded over Downtown. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,000–1,300 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 Downtown?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 5% of the 3,081 helicopter passes recorded over Downtown. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 7 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,050 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 Downtown?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 650–900 ft; private and charter helicopters at 800–1,300 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,300 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 800–1,050 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 Downtown?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 106.7 hours overhead across 1,821 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.