Helicopters over Leisure World Seal Beach

Military helicopters over Leisure World Seal Beach

256 of 587 recorded passes over Leisure World Seal Beach were military helicopters — 44% of the traffic here, 6.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (20-21168), 38 recorded passestypically 350–700 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Leisure World Seal Beach

215 of 587 recorded passes over Leisure World Seal Beach were private and charter helicopters — 37% of the traffic here, 8.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Anthelion Helicopters (N995NR), 17 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 1,050–2,500 ft

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

Police helicopters over Leisure World Seal Beach

43 of 587 recorded passes over Leisure World Seal Beach were police helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N665PD), 6 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 300–750 ft

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

News helicopters over Leisure World Seal Beach

27 of 587 recorded passes over Leisure World Seal Beach were news helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 900–1,100 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Leisure World Seal Beach?

Police helicopters account for 7% of the 587 helicopter passes recorded over Leisure World Seal Beach. The one you see most is LAPD (N665PD), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 300–750 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 news helicopter over Leisure World Seal Beach?

News helicopters account for 5% of the 587 helicopter passes recorded over Leisure World Seal Beach. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,100 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 Leisure World Seal Beach?

From the passes recorded here: military helicopters at 350–700 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,050–2,500 ft; police helicopters at 300–750 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,100 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 Leisure World Seal Beach?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 8.3 hours overhead across 215 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.