Helicopters over Exposition Park

Police helicopters over Exposition Park

1,735 of 2,092 recorded passes over Exposition Park were police helicopters — 83% of the traffic here, 149.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 43 recorded passestypically 500–650 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 Exposition Park

244 of 2,092 recorded passes over Exposition Park were private and charter helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 5.3 hours overhead in total.

usually 6pm–9pmtypically 900–1,300 ft

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

News helicopters over Exposition Park

71 of 2,092 recorded passes over Exposition Park were news helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 6.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 4 recorded passestypically 950–1,550 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 Exposition Park

30 of 2,092 recorded passes over Exposition Park were sheriff's helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 3 recorded passes

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 Exposition Park?

Police helicopters account for 83% of the 2,092 helicopter passes recorded over Exposition Park. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 43 recorded passes. They typically fly at 500–650 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 Exposition Park?

News helicopters account for 3% of the 2,092 helicopter passes recorded over Exposition Park. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 950–1,550 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 Exposition Park?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 1% of the 2,092 helicopter passes recorded over Exposition Park. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 3 recorded passes. 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 Exposition Park?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 500–650 ft; private and charter helicopters at 900–1,300 ft; news helicopters at 950–1,550 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 Exposition Park?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 149.8 hours overhead across 1,735 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.