Helicopters over Pico Rivera

Sheriff's helicopters over Pico Rivera

1,026 of 1,362 recorded passes over Pico Rivera were sheriff's helicopters — 75% of the traffic here, 42.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 47 recorded passestypically 700–950 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 Pico Rivera

145 of 1,362 recorded passes over Pico Rivera were private and charter helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Anthelion Helicopters (N995NR), 7 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 1,000–1,300 ft

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

News helicopters over Pico Rivera

83 of 1,362 recorded passes over Pico Rivera were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 900–1,100 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.

Police helicopters over Pico Rivera

38 of 1,362 recorded passes over Pico Rivera were police helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

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 Pico Rivera?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 75% of the 1,362 helicopter passes recorded over Pico Rivera. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 47 recorded passes. They typically fly at 700–950 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 Pico Rivera?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 1,362 helicopter passes recorded over Pico Rivera. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 11am–2pm here. They typically fly at 900–1,100 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Pico Rivera?

Police helicopters account for 3% of the 1,362 helicopter passes recorded over Pico Rivera. 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 Pico Rivera?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 700–950 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,300 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,100 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 Pico Rivera?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 42.3 hours overhead across 1,026 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.