Helicopters over Paramount

Sheriff's helicopters over Paramount

1,447 of 2,291 recorded passes over Paramount were sheriff's helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 48.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N959LA), 48 recorded passestypically 650–850 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Paramount

396 of 2,291 recorded passes over Paramount were private and charter helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 10.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Tsunami Skydivers (N290KC), 3 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 600–1,000 ft

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

Police helicopters over Paramount

250 of 2,291 recorded passes over Paramount were police helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 8.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyKnight (N930DK), 11 recorded passesusually 9pm–12amtypically 550–700 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 Paramount

144 of 2,291 recorded passes over Paramount were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 6.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 7 recorded passestypically 750–1,100 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Paramount?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 63% of the 2,291 helicopter passes recorded over Paramount. The one you see most is LASD (N959LA), 48 recorded passes. They typically fly at 650–850 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Paramount?

Police helicopters account for 11% of the 2,291 helicopter passes recorded over Paramount. The one you see most is SkyKnight (N930DK), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 9pm–12am here. They typically fly at 550–700 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 Paramount?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 2,291 helicopter passes recorded over Paramount. The one you see most is NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 7 recorded passes. They typically fly at 750–1,100 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 Paramount?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 650–850 ft; private and charter helicopters at 600–1,000 ft; police helicopters at 550–700 ft; news helicopters at 750–1,100 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 Paramount?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 48.5 hours overhead across 1,447 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 AirWatch 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.