Helicopters over Palmdale

Private and charter helicopters over Palmdale

377 of 1,022 recorded passes over Palmdale were private and charter helicopters — 37% of the traffic here, 21.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Blue Sky (N286G), 24 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 3,300–4,500 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Palmdale

279 of 1,022 recorded passes over Palmdale were fire helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 16.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 33 recorded passestypically 2,850–3,200 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Palmdale

248 of 1,022 recorded passes over Palmdale were sheriff's helicopters — 24% of the traffic here, 26.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 20 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 3,000–3,800 ft

Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

Military helicopters over Palmdale

54 of 1,022 recorded passes over Palmdale were military helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 2.4 hours overhead in total.

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Why is a fire helicopter over Palmdale?

Fire helicopters account for 27% of the 1,022 helicopter passes recorded over Palmdale. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 33 recorded passes. They typically fly at 2,850–3,200 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 sheriff's helicopter over Palmdale?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 24% of the 1,022 helicopter passes recorded over Palmdale. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 20 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 3,000–3,800 ft above sea level. 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 Palmdale?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,300–4,500 ft; fire helicopters at 2,850–3,200 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,000–3,800 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 Palmdale?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 26.3 hours overhead across 248 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.