Helicopters over Hollywood Hills

Private and charter helicopters over Hollywood Hills

1,380 of 3,454 recorded passes over Hollywood Hills were private and charter helicopters — 40% of the traffic here, 42.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 27 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,300–1,600 ft

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

Police helicopters over Hollywood Hills

1,295 of 3,454 recorded passes over Hollywood Hills were police helicopters — 37% of the traffic here, 48.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 24 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,550 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 Hollywood Hills

580 of 3,454 recorded passes over Hollywood Hills were news helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 15.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 13 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,700 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 Hollywood Hills

125 of 3,454 recorded passes over Hollywood Hills were fire helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 10.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N303FD), 3 recorded passes

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 Hollywood Hills?

Police helicopters account for 37% of the 3,454 helicopter passes recorded over Hollywood Hills. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 24 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,550 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 Hollywood Hills?

News helicopters account for 17% of the 3,454 helicopter passes recorded over Hollywood Hills. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 13 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,700 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 Hollywood Hills?

Fire helicopters account for 4% of the 3,454 helicopter passes recorded over Hollywood Hills. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N303FD), 3 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 Hollywood Hills?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,300–1,600 ft; police helicopters at 1,300–1,550 ft; news helicopters at 1,300–1,700 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 Hollywood Hills?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 48.3 hours overhead across 1,295 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.