Helicopters over Hawaiian Gardens

Private and charter helicopters over Hawaiian Gardens

315 of 791 recorded passes over Hawaiian Gardens were private and charter helicopters — 40% of the traffic here, 8.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Vertical (N70727), 16 recorded passestypically 600–900 ft

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

Police helicopters over Hawaiian Gardens

312 of 791 recorded passes over Hawaiian Gardens were police helicopters — 39% of the traffic here, 22.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyKnight (N930DK), 93 recorded passesusually 9pm–12amtypically 450–700 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Hawaiian Gardens

77 of 791 recorded passes over Hawaiian Gardens were sheriff's helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 10.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 5 recorded passestypically 500–650 ft

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

News helicopters over Hawaiian Gardens

71 of 791 recorded passes over Hawaiian Gardens were news helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 600–1,000 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Hawaiian Gardens?

Police helicopters account for 39% of the 791 helicopter passes recorded over Hawaiian Gardens. The one you see most is SkyKnight (N930DK), 93 recorded passes. They are usually 9pm–12am here. They typically fly at 450–700 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 sheriff's helicopter over Hawaiian Gardens?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 10% of the 791 helicopter passes recorded over Hawaiian Gardens. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 5 recorded passes. They typically fly at 500–650 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 Hawaiian Gardens?

News helicopters account for 9% of the 791 helicopter passes recorded over Hawaiian Gardens. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 600–1,000 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Hawaiian Gardens?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 600–900 ft; police helicopters at 450–700 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 500–650 ft; news helicopters at 600–1,000 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 Hawaiian Gardens?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 22.8 hours overhead across 312 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 AirWatch 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.