Helicopters over Palms

Police helicopters over Palms

119 of 259 recorded passes over Palms were police helicopters — 46% of the traffic here, 8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N213PF), 18 recorded passestypically 500–800 ft

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

News helicopters over Palms

71 of 259 recorded passes over Palms were news helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 2.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 20 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 900–1,300 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.

Private and charter helicopters over Palms

58 of 259 recorded passes over Palms were private and charter helicopters — 22% of the traffic here, 1.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Stirn Aviation (N26TW), 6 recorded passestypically 750–1,050 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Palms?

Police helicopters account for 46% of the 259 helicopter passes recorded over Palms. The one you see most is LAPD (N213PF), 18 recorded passes. They typically fly at 500–800 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 Palms?

News helicopters account for 27% of the 259 helicopter passes recorded over Palms. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 20 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 900–1,300 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Palms?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 500–800 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,300 ft; private and charter helicopters at 750–1,050 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 Palms?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 8 hours overhead across 119 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.