Helicopters over El Sereno

Police helicopters over El Sereno

414 of 1,150 recorded passes over El Sereno were police helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 21.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 13 recorded passestypically 950–1,350 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 El Sereno

340 of 1,150 recorded passes over El Sereno were sheriff's helicopters — 30% of the traffic here, 11.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 23 recorded passestypically 1,000–1,250 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 El Sereno

204 of 1,150 recorded passes over El Sereno were private and charter helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 4.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Los Angeles Dept Of Water & Power (N705WP), 6 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,150–1,600 ft

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

News helicopters over El Sereno

121 of 1,150 recorded passes over El Sereno were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 4.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 1,350–2,000 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over El Sereno?

Police helicopters account for 36% of the 1,150 helicopter passes recorded over El Sereno. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 13 recorded passes. They typically fly at 950–1,350 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 El Sereno?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 30% of the 1,150 helicopter passes recorded over El Sereno. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 23 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,000–1,250 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 El Sereno?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 1,150 helicopter passes recorded over El Sereno. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 11am–2pm here. They typically fly at 1,350–2,000 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.

How high do helicopters fly over El Sereno?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 950–1,350 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,000–1,250 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,150–1,600 ft; news helicopters at 1,350–2,000 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 El Sereno?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 21.4 hours overhead across 414 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.