Helicopters over Pasadena

Police helicopters over Pasadena

1,412 of 2,183 recorded passes over Pasadena were police helicopters — 65% of the traffic here, 129.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 71 recorded passestypically 1,600–2,000 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Pasadena

268 of 2,183 recorded passes over Pasadena were sheriff's helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 6.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 4 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 1,300–1,650 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 Pasadena

219 of 2,183 recorded passes over Pasadena were private and charter helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 6.3 hours overhead in total.

usually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,500–2,300 ft

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

News helicopters over Pasadena

135 of 2,183 recorded passes over Pasadena were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 7.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 5 recorded passestypically 1,600–2,000 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Pasadena?

Police helicopters account for 65% of the 2,183 helicopter passes recorded over Pasadena. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 71 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,600–2,000 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 sheriff's helicopter over Pasadena?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 12% of the 2,183 helicopter passes recorded over Pasadena. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 1,300–1,650 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Pasadena?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 2,183 helicopter passes recorded over Pasadena. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 5 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,600–2,000 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 Pasadena?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,600–2,000 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,300–1,650 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,500–2,300 ft; news helicopters at 1,600–2,000 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 Pasadena?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 129.1 hours overhead across 1,412 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.