Helicopters over Quartz Hill

Private and charter helicopters over Quartz Hill

166 of 399 recorded passes over Quartz Hill were private and charter helicopters — 42% of the traffic here, 4.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Blue Sky (N286G), 45 recorded passesusually 7am–10amtypically 3,000–3,600 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Quartz Hill

136 of 399 recorded passes over Quartz Hill were sheriff's helicopters — 34% of the traffic here, 6.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 13 recorded passesusually 7pm–10pmtypically 2,950–3,150 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Quartz Hill

70 of 399 recorded passes over Quartz Hill were fire helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 1.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N15LA), 12 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 3,000–3,450 ft

Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Military helicopters over Quartz Hill

16 of 399 recorded passes over Quartz Hill were military helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

typically 3,450–6,850 ft

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Quartz Hill?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 34% of the 399 helicopter passes recorded over Quartz Hill. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 13 recorded passes. They are usually 7pm–10pm here. They typically fly at 2,950–3,150 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 fire helicopter over Quartz Hill?

Fire helicopters account for 18% of the 399 helicopter passes recorded over Quartz Hill. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N15LA), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 3,000–3,450 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Quartz Hill?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,000–3,600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 2,950–3,150 ft; fire helicopters at 3,000–3,450 ft; military helicopters at 3,450–6,850 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 Quartz Hill?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 6.2 hours overhead across 136 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 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.