Helicopters over Mid-City

Police helicopters over Mid-City

2,249 of 2,774 recorded passes over Mid-City were police helicopters — 81% of the traffic here, 101.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 42 recorded passestypically 550–850 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Mid-City

228 of 2,774 recorded passes over Mid-City were private and charter helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 4.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Stirn Aviation (N26TW), 4 recorded passesusually 10pm–1amtypically 800–1,000 ft

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

News helicopters over Mid-City

222 of 2,774 recorded passes over Mid-City were news helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 6.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 8 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,000–1,700 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 Mid-City

48 of 2,774 recorded passes over Mid-City were sheriff's helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

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 Mid-City?

Police helicopters account for 81% of the 2,774 helicopter passes recorded over Mid-City. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 42 recorded passes. They typically fly at 550–850 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 Mid-City?

News helicopters account for 8% of the 2,774 helicopter passes recorded over Mid-City. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,700 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 Mid-City?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 2% of the 2,774 helicopter passes recorded over Mid-City. 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 Mid-City?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 550–850 ft; private and charter helicopters at 800–1,000 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,700 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 Mid-City?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 101.4 hours overhead across 2,249 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.