Helicopters over Manhattan Beach

Private and charter helicopters over Manhattan Beach

99 of 133 recorded passes over Manhattan Beach were private and charter helicopters — 74% of the traffic here, 3.4 hours overhead in total.

usually 1pm–4pmtypically 450–950 ft

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

News helicopters over Manhattan Beach

14 of 133 recorded passes over Manhattan Beach were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 1.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (N71HD), 6 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 600–950 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Manhattan Beach?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 133 helicopter passes recorded over Manhattan Beach. The one you see most is AIR7 (N71HD), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 600–950 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 Manhattan Beach?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 450–950 ft; news helicopters at 600–950 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 Manhattan Beach?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 3.4 hours overhead across 99 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.