Helicopters over Lincoln Heights

Police helicopters over Lincoln Heights

1,565 of 2,395 recorded passes over Lincoln Heights were police helicopters — 65% of the traffic here, 92.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N267LA), 26 recorded passestypically 800–1,050 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Lincoln Heights

266 of 2,395 recorded passes over Lincoln Heights were sheriff's helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 7.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passestypically 850–1,100 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Lincoln Heights

250 of 2,395 recorded passes over Lincoln Heights were private and charter helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 7.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Stirn Aviation (N26TW), 9 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 1,150–1,450 ft

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

News helicopters over Lincoln Heights

226 of 2,395 recorded passes over Lincoln Heights were news helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 8.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 7 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,250–1,600 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 Lincoln Heights?

Police helicopters account for 65% of the 2,395 helicopter passes recorded over Lincoln Heights. The one you see most is LAPD (N267LA), 26 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,050 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 Lincoln Heights?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 11% of the 2,395 helicopter passes recorded over Lincoln Heights. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passes. They typically fly at 850–1,100 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 Lincoln Heights?

News helicopters account for 9% of the 2,395 helicopter passes recorded over Lincoln Heights. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,250–1,600 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 Lincoln Heights?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 800–1,050 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 850–1,100 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,150–1,450 ft; news helicopters at 1,250–1,600 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 Lincoln Heights?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 92.1 hours overhead across 1,565 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.