Helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

Private and charter helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

188 of 354 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were private and charter helicopters — 53% of the traffic here, 10 hours overhead in total.

Most often: REACH (N36RX), 22 recorded passestypically 3,500–5,500 ft

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

Military helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

73 of 354 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were military helicopters — 21% of the traffic here, 3.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (91-26344), 3 recorded passestypically 3,800–7,300 ft

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Sheriff's helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

46 of 354 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were sheriff's helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 3.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 5 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 3,100–3,750 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

19 of 354 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were fire helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 6 recorded passestypically 2,700–4,450 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Lake Los Angeles?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 13% of the 354 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Los Angeles. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 3,100–3,750 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 fire helicopter over Lake Los Angeles?

Fire helicopters account for 5% of the 354 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Los Angeles. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,700–4,450 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 Lake Los Angeles?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,500–5,500 ft; military helicopters at 3,800–7,300 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,100–3,750 ft; fire helicopters at 2,700–4,450 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 Lake Los Angeles?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 10 hours overhead across 188 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.