Helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

Private and charter helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

98 of 181 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were private and charter helicopters — 54% of the traffic here, 4.9 hours overhead in total.

typically 3,500–5,400 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

34 of 181 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were military helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 1.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (91-26326), 3 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 4,700–7,950 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

29 of 181 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were sheriff's helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 5 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 3,100–3,350 ft

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

News helicopters over Lake Los Angeles

10 of 181 recorded passes over Lake Los Angeles were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 5 recorded passestypically 5,400–6,200 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.

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

Sheriff's helicopters account for 16% of the 181 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Los Angeles. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 3,100–3,350 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 Lake Los Angeles?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 181 helicopter passes recorded over Lake Los Angeles. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 5 recorded passes. They typically fly at 5,400–6,200 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Lake Los Angeles?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,500–5,400 ft; military helicopters at 4,700–7,950 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,100–3,350 ft; news helicopters at 5,400–6,200 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: 4.9 hours overhead across 98 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 AirWatch 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.