Helicopters over Rosemead

Sheriff's helicopters over Rosemead

42 of 133 recorded passes over Rosemead were sheriff's helicopters — 32% of the traffic here, 2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passestypically 800–1,050 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 Rosemead

38 of 133 recorded passes over Rosemead were private and charter helicopters — 29% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Masok Air (N567PW), 4 recorded passestypically 950–1,700 ft

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

News helicopters over Rosemead

29 of 133 recorded passes over Rosemead were news helicopters — 22% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (N71HD), 8 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,000–1,400 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.

Police helicopters over Rosemead

12 of 133 recorded passes over Rosemead were police helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 7 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 1,000–1,600 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Rosemead?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 32% of the 133 helicopter passes recorded over Rosemead. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 9 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,050 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 Rosemead?

News helicopters account for 22% of the 133 helicopter passes recorded over Rosemead. The one you see most is AIR7 (N71HD), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,400 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Rosemead?

Police helicopters account for 9% of the 133 helicopter passes recorded over Rosemead. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,600 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Rosemead?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 800–1,050 ft; private and charter helicopters at 950–1,700 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,400 ft; police helicopters at 1,000–1,600 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 Rosemead?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 2 hours overhead across 42 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.