Helicopters over Pacoima

Fire helicopters over Pacoima

1,009 of 3,203 recorded passes over Pacoima were fire helicopters — 32% of the traffic here, 70.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N190LA), 31 recorded passestypically 800–1,000 ft

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

News helicopters over Pacoima

997 of 3,203 recorded passes over Pacoima were news helicopters — 31% of the traffic here, 69.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 45 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,100–1,500 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.

Private and charter helicopters over Pacoima

597 of 3,203 recorded passes over Pacoima were private and charter helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 58.3 hours overhead in total.

usually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,000–1,600 ft

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

Police helicopters over Pacoima

439 of 3,203 recorded passes over Pacoima were police helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 36.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N267LA), 12 recorded passestypically 1,300–1,500 ft

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

Why is a fire helicopter over Pacoima?

Fire helicopters account for 32% of the 3,203 helicopter passes recorded over Pacoima. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N190LA), 31 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,000 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a news helicopter over Pacoima?

News helicopters account for 31% of the 3,203 helicopter passes recorded over Pacoima. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 45 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 1,100–1,500 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 police helicopter circling over Pacoima?

Police helicopters account for 14% of the 3,203 helicopter passes recorded over Pacoima. The one you see most is LAPD (N267LA), 12 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,300–1,500 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Pacoima?

From the passes recorded here: fire helicopters at 800–1,000 ft; news helicopters at 1,100–1,500 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,600 ft; police helicopters at 1,300–1,500 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 Pacoima?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are fire helicopters: 70.9 hours overhead across 1,009 recorded passes. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

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.