Helicopters over Pacific Palisades

Police helicopters over Pacific Palisades

804 of 1,739 recorded passes over Pacific Palisades were police helicopters — 46% of the traffic here, 49 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 26 recorded passestypically 200–500 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 Pacific Palisades

622 of 1,739 recorded passes over Pacific Palisades were private and charter helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 18.8 hours overhead in total.

usually 12pm–3pmtypically 500–1,150 ft

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

News helicopters over Pacific Palisades

118 of 1,739 recorded passes over Pacific Palisades were news helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 12.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,000–1,300 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 Pacific Palisades

82 of 1,739 recorded passes over Pacific Palisades were fire helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 3.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N190LA), 3 recorded passes

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 Pacific Palisades?

Police helicopters account for 46% of the 1,739 helicopter passes recorded over Pacific Palisades. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 26 recorded passes. They typically fly at 200–500 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 Pacific Palisades?

News helicopters account for 7% of the 1,739 helicopter passes recorded over Pacific Palisades. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,300 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 Pacific Palisades?

Fire helicopters account for 5% of the 1,739 helicopter passes recorded over Pacific Palisades. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N190LA), 3 recorded passes. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Pacific Palisades?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 200–500 ft; private and charter helicopters at 500–1,150 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,300 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 Pacific Palisades?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 49 hours overhead across 804 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.