Helicopters over Leona Valley

Private and charter helicopters over Leona Valley

176 of 421 recorded passes over Leona Valley were private and charter helicopters — 42% of the traffic here, 13.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N817CE), 20 recorded passestypically 3,400–4,500 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Leona Valley

140 of 421 recorded passes over Leona Valley were fire helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 8.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 17 recorded passesusually 2pm–5pmtypically 3,600–4,050 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Leona Valley

64 of 421 recorded passes over Leona Valley were sheriff's helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 3.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 11 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 3,400–4,750 ft

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

Military helicopters over Leona Valley

26 of 421 recorded passes over Leona Valley were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1 hour overhead in total.

Most often: US ARMY (18-20978), 3 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 6,550–8,500 ft

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Leona Valley?

Fire helicopters account for 33% of the 421 helicopter passes recorded over Leona Valley. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 17 recorded passes. They are usually 2pm–5pm here. They typically fly at 3,600–4,050 ft above sea level. 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 Leona Valley?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 15% of the 421 helicopter passes recorded over Leona Valley. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 3,400–4,750 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Leona Valley?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,400–4,500 ft; fire helicopters at 3,600–4,050 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,400–4,750 ft; military helicopters at 6,550–8,500 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 Leona Valley?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 13.1 hours overhead across 176 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.