Helicopters over La Mirada

Private and charter helicopters over La Mirada

225 of 523 recorded passes over La Mirada were private and charter helicopters — 43% of the traffic here, 6.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mtm Aviation (N821MR), 23 recorded passestypically 1,000–1,500 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over La Mirada

131 of 523 recorded passes over La Mirada were sheriff's helicopters — 25% of the traffic here, 5.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 15 recorded passestypically 650–950 ft

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

Police helicopters over La Mirada

46 of 523 recorded passes over La Mirada were police helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Anaheim PD (N826PD), 5 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 850–1,300 ft

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

CHP helicopters over La Mirada

45 of 523 recorded passes over La Mirada were CHP helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: CHP (N984HP), 11 recorded passesusually 7pm–10pmtypically 800–900 ft

CHP aircraft work the freeways — pursuits, major collisions and traffic enforcement — and usually pass through rather than hold.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over La Mirada?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 25% of the 523 helicopter passes recorded over La Mirada. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 15 recorded passes. They typically fly at 650–950 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over La Mirada?

Police helicopters account for 9% of the 523 helicopter passes recorded over La Mirada. The one you see most is Anaheim PD (N826PD), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 850–1,300 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.

How high do helicopters fly over La Mirada?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,500 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 650–950 ft; police helicopters at 850–1,300 ft; CHP helicopters at 800–900 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 La Mirada?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 6.2 hours overhead across 225 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.