Helicopters over Playa Vista

Private and charter helicopters over Playa Vista

81 of 166 recorded passes over Playa Vista were private and charter helicopters — 49% of the traffic here, 1.8 hours overhead in total.

usually 1pm–4pmtypically 3,300–3,550 ft

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

Police helicopters over Playa Vista

55 of 166 recorded passes over Playa Vista were police helicopters — 33% of the traffic here, 3.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N213PF), 7 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 450–600 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 Playa Vista

19 of 166 recorded passes over Playa Vista were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 2.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 6 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 700–1,400 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 Playa Vista?

Police helicopters account for 33% of the 166 helicopter passes recorded over Playa Vista. The one you see most is LAPD (N213PF), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 12pm–3pm here. They typically fly at 450–600 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 Playa Vista?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 166 helicopter passes recorded over Playa Vista. The one you see most is NewsChopper 4 (N358TV), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 700–1,400 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 Playa Vista?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,300–3,550 ft; police helicopters at 450–600 ft; news helicopters at 700–1,400 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 Playa Vista?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 3.2 hours overhead across 55 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.