Helicopters over Glassell Park

Police helicopters over Glassell Park

449 of 616 recorded passes over Glassell Park were police helicopters — 73% of the traffic here, 15.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N233LA), 30 recorded passestypically 1,050–1,450 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 Glassell Park

90 of 616 recorded passes over Glassell Park were private and charter helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N703WP), 9 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,100–1,500 ft

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

News helicopters over Glassell Park

55 of 616 recorded passes over Glassell Park were news helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 3 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,200–1,900 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.

Fire helicopters over Glassell Park

10 of 616 recorded passes over Glassell Park were fire helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Glassell Park?

Police helicopters account for 73% of the 616 helicopter passes recorded over Glassell Park. The one you see most is LAPD (N233LA), 30 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,050–1,450 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 Glassell Park?

News helicopters account for 9% of the 616 helicopter passes recorded over Glassell Park. The one you see most is AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 3 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,900 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 fire helicopter over Glassell Park?

Fire helicopters account for 2% of the 616 helicopter passes recorded over Glassell Park. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Glassell Park?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,050–1,450 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,100–1,500 ft; news helicopters at 1,200–1,900 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 Glassell Park?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 15.3 hours overhead across 449 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.