Helicopters over Mission Hills

Police helicopters over Mission Hills

636 of 1,954 recorded passes over Mission Hills were police helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 27.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 13 recorded passestypically 1,250–1,500 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 Mission Hills

555 of 1,954 recorded passes over Mission Hills were private and charter helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 22.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: City Of Los Angeles Department Of Water & Power (N706WP), 16 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,200–1,550 ft

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

News helicopters over Mission Hills

357 of 1,954 recorded passes over Mission Hills were news helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 13.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 15 recorded passesusually 6am–9amtypically 1,300–1,600 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.

Fire helicopters over Mission Hills

256 of 1,954 recorded passes over Mission Hills were fire helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 5.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N822LA), 9 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,550 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 Mission Hills?

Police helicopters account for 33% of the 1,954 helicopter passes recorded over Mission Hills. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 13 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,250–1,500 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 Mission Hills?

News helicopters account for 18% of the 1,954 helicopter passes recorded over Mission Hills. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 15 recorded passes. They are usually 6am–9am here. They typically fly at 1,300–1,600 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Mission Hills?

Fire helicopters account for 13% of the 1,954 helicopter passes recorded over Mission Hills. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N822LA), 9 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,550 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 Mission Hills?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,250–1,500 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,200–1,550 ft; news helicopters at 1,300–1,600 ft; fire helicopters at 1,300–1,550 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 Mission Hills?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 27.1 hours overhead across 636 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.