Helicopters over Lakewood

Police helicopters over Lakewood

947 of 2,303 recorded passes over Lakewood were police helicopters — 41% of the traffic here, 96.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyKnight (N930DK), 76 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 300–500 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Lakewood

639 of 2,303 recorded passes over Lakewood were private and charter helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 23.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Long Beach (N28LB), 28 recorded passestypically 400–600 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 Lakewood

630 of 2,303 recorded passes over Lakewood were sheriff's helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 17.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 16 recorded passestypically 450–600 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 Lakewood

66 of 2,303 recorded passes over Lakewood were news helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 2.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 6 recorded passes

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 Lakewood?

Police helicopters account for 41% of the 2,303 helicopter passes recorded over Lakewood. The one you see most is SkyKnight (N930DK), 76 recorded passes. They are usually 5pm–8pm here. They typically fly at 300–500 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 sheriff's helicopter over Lakewood?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 27% of the 2,303 helicopter passes recorded over Lakewood. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 16 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–600 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 Lakewood?

News helicopters account for 3% of the 2,303 helicopter passes recorded over Lakewood. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 6 recorded passes. 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 Lakewood?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 300–500 ft; private and charter helicopters at 400–600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 450–600 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 Lakewood?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 96.6 hours overhead across 947 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.