Helicopters over East LA

Sheriff's helicopters over East LA

2,049 of 3,236 recorded passes over East LA were sheriff's helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 139.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 50 recorded passestypically 700–950 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 East LA

466 of 3,236 recorded passes over East LA were news helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 33.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 9 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,000–1,400 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 East LA

338 of 3,236 recorded passes over East LA were police helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 17.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N229LA), 3 recorded passestypically 850–1,100 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 East LA

250 of 3,236 recorded passes over East LA were private and charter helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 5.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mtm Aviation (N821MR), 6 recorded passestypically 950–1,450 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over East LA?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 63% of the 3,236 helicopter passes recorded over East LA. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 50 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–950 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.

Is that a news helicopter over East LA?

News helicopters account for 14% of the 3,236 helicopter passes recorded over East LA. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,400 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 East LA?

Police helicopters account for 10% of the 3,236 helicopter passes recorded over East LA. The one you see most is LAPD (N229LA), 3 recorded passes. They typically fly at 850–1,100 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 East LA?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 700–950 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,400 ft; police helicopters at 850–1,100 ft; private and charter helicopters at 950–1,450 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 East LA?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 139.4 hours overhead across 2,049 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.