Helicopters over Fairfax

Police helicopters over Fairfax

494 of 581 recorded passes over Fairfax were police helicopters — 85% of the traffic here, 18 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 35 recorded passestypically 700–900 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

News helicopters over Fairfax

44 of 581 recorded passes over Fairfax were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 5.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 6 recorded passestypically 900–1,800 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.

Private and charter helicopters over Fairfax

28 of 581 recorded passes over Fairfax were private and charter helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 1.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Helinet (N435AK), 3 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 800–950 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Fairfax

11 of 581 recorded passes over Fairfax were sheriff's helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 0.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N950LA), 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 Fairfax?

Police helicopters account for 85% of the 581 helicopter passes recorded over Fairfax. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 35 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–900 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 Fairfax?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 581 helicopter passes recorded over Fairfax. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 900–1,800 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 Fairfax?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 2% of the 581 helicopter passes recorded over Fairfax. The one you see most is LASD (N950LA), 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 Fairfax?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 700–900 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,800 ft; private and charter helicopters at 800–950 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 Fairfax?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 18 hours overhead across 494 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.