Helicopters over Highland Park

Police helicopters over Highland Park

607 of 1,018 recorded passes over Highland Park were police helicopters — 60% of the traffic here, 29.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N233LA), 21 recorded passestypically 1,100–1,400 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 Highland Park

178 of 1,018 recorded passes over Highland Park were private and charter helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 6.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Los Angeles Dept Of Water & Power (N705WP), 9 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,250–1,650 ft

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

News helicopters over Highland Park

110 of 1,018 recorded passes over Highland Park were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 7.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 9 recorded passestypically 1,300–2,000 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.

Fire helicopters over Highland Park

67 of 1,018 recorded passes over Highland Park were fire helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 5.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N305FD), 13 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 1,000–1,300 ft

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 Highland Park?

Police helicopters account for 60% of the 1,018 helicopter passes recorded over Highland Park. The one you see most is LAPD (N233LA), 21 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,100–1,400 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 Highland Park?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 1,018 helicopter passes recorded over Highland Park. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 9 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–2,000 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Highland Park?

Fire helicopters account for 7% of the 1,018 helicopter passes recorded over Highland Park. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N305FD), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,300 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Highland Park?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,100–1,400 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,250–1,650 ft; news helicopters at 1,300–2,000 ft; fire helicopters at 1,000–1,300 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 Highland Park?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 29.3 hours overhead across 607 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.