Helicopters over Hacienda Heights

Sheriff's helicopters over Hacienda Heights

1,068 of 1,521 recorded passes over Hacienda Heights were sheriff's helicopters — 70% of the traffic here, 47 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 41 recorded passestypically 700–1,150 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 Hacienda Heights

246 of 1,521 recorded passes over Hacienda Heights were private and charter helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 8.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Uaa International (N6522), 4 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,250–1,800 ft

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

News helicopters over Hacienda Heights

74 of 1,521 recorded passes over Hacienda Heights were news helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 7.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passestypically 1,100–1,300 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 Hacienda Heights

57 of 1,521 recorded passes over Hacienda Heights were fire helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 4.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N120LA), 4 recorded passes

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Hacienda Heights?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 70% of the 1,521 helicopter passes recorded over Hacienda Heights. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 41 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–1,150 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 Hacienda Heights?

News helicopters account for 5% of the 1,521 helicopter passes recorded over Hacienda Heights. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,100–1,300 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 Hacienda Heights?

Fire helicopters account for 4% of the 1,521 helicopter passes recorded over Hacienda Heights. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N120LA), 4 recorded passes. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Hacienda Heights?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 700–1,150 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,250–1,800 ft; news helicopters at 1,100–1,300 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 Hacienda Heights?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 47 hours overhead across 1,068 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.