Helicopters over La Puente

Sheriff's helicopters over La Puente

1,019 of 1,350 recorded passes over La Puente were sheriff's helicopters — 75% of the traffic here, 69.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 53 recorded passestypically 450–1,100 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 La Puente

188 of 1,350 recorded passes over La Puente were private and charter helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Uaa International (N6522), 7 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 1,000–1,400 ft

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

News helicopters over La Puente

52 of 1,350 recorded passes over La Puente were news helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

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.

Police helicopters over La Puente

37 of 1,350 recorded passes over La Puente were police helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

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 La Puente?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 75% of the 1,350 helicopter passes recorded over La Puente. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 53 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–1,100 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 La Puente?

News helicopters account for 4% of the 1,350 helicopter passes recorded over La Puente. 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 La Puente?

Police helicopters account for 3% of the 1,350 helicopter passes recorded over La Puente. 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 Puente?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 450–1,100 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,400 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 Puente?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 69.6 hours overhead across 1,019 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.