Helicopters over Long Beach

Private and charter helicopters over Long Beach

3,778 of 4,577 recorded passes over Long Beach were private and charter helicopters — 83% of the traffic here, 340.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Goodyear Blimp (N2A), 36 recorded passestypically 600–1,000 ft

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

Police helicopters over Long Beach

394 of 4,577 recorded passes over Long Beach were police helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 39.3 hours overhead in total.

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 Long Beach

173 of 4,577 recorded passes over Long Beach were news helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 10.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 4 recorded passestypically 700–800 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.

Sheriff's helicopters over Long Beach

109 of 4,577 recorded passes over Long Beach were sheriff's helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 7.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 3 recorded passesusually 12am–3amtypically 450–650 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Long Beach?

Police helicopters account for 9% of the 4,577 helicopter passes recorded over Long Beach. 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 Long Beach?

News helicopters account for 4% of the 4,577 helicopter passes recorded over Long Beach. The one you see most is AIR7 (backup) (N29HD), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–800 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Long Beach?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 2% of the 4,577 helicopter passes recorded over Long Beach. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 3 recorded passes. They are usually 12am–3am here. They typically fly at 450–650 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 Long Beach?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 600–1,000 ft; news helicopters at 700–800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 450–650 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 Long Beach?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 340.4 hours overhead across 3,778 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.