Helicopters over Gardena

Private and charter helicopters over Gardena

1,012 of 1,580 recorded passes over Gardena were private and charter helicopters — 64% of the traffic here, 33.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Goodyear Blimp (N2A), 75 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 450–800 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 Gardena

312 of 1,580 recorded passes over Gardena were sheriff's helicopters — 20% of the traffic here, 20.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 10 recorded passestypically 450–600 ft

Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

Police helicopters over Gardena

132 of 1,580 recorded passes over Gardena were police helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 7.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N230LA), 3 recorded passestypically 350–650 ft

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

News helicopters over Gardena

89 of 1,580 recorded passes over Gardena were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 5.3 hours overhead in total.

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 Gardena?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 20% of the 1,580 helicopter passes recorded over Gardena. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 10 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–600 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Gardena?

Police helicopters account for 8% of the 1,580 helicopter passes recorded over Gardena. The one you see most is LAPD (N230LA), 3 recorded passes. They typically fly at 350–650 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 Gardena?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 1,580 helicopter passes recorded over Gardena. 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 Gardena?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 450–800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 450–600 ft; police helicopters at 350–650 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 Gardena?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 33.4 hours overhead across 1,012 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.