Helicopters over Los Feliz

Private and charter helicopters over Los Feliz

1,009 of 2,218 recorded passes over Los Feliz were private and charter helicopters — 45% of the traffic here, 23.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 24 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,300–1,700 ft

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

Police helicopters over Los Feliz

902 of 2,218 recorded passes over Los Feliz were police helicopters — 41% of the traffic here, 29.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 22 recorded passestypically 950–1,250 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 Los Feliz

141 of 2,218 recorded passes over Los Feliz were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 5.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 10 recorded passestypically 1,400–1,800 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.

Fire helicopters over Los Feliz

97 of 2,218 recorded passes over Los Feliz were fire helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 4.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N305FD), 3 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,700 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Los Feliz?

Police helicopters account for 41% of the 2,218 helicopter passes recorded over Los Feliz. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 22 recorded passes. They typically fly at 950–1,250 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 Los Feliz?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 2,218 helicopter passes recorded over Los Feliz. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 10 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,400–1,800 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Los Feliz?

Fire helicopters account for 4% of the 2,218 helicopter passes recorded over Los Feliz. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N305FD), 3 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,700 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Los Feliz?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,300–1,700 ft; police helicopters at 950–1,250 ft; news helicopters at 1,400–1,800 ft; fire helicopters at 1,300–1,700 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 Los Feliz?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 29.9 hours overhead across 902 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.