Helicopters over Rowland Heights

Sheriff's helicopters over Rowland Heights

123 of 326 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were sheriff's helicopters — 38% of the traffic here, 7.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N959LA), 17 recorded passestypically 950–1,350 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 Rowland Heights

91 of 326 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were private and charter helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 2.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N810CE), 7 recorded passestypically 1,200–1,700 ft

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

News helicopters over Rowland Heights

47 of 326 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were news helicopters — 14% of the traffic here, 1.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 18 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,200–1,650 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.

Fire and air-medical helicopters over Rowland Heights

20 of 326 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were fire and air-medical helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N110LA), 6 recorded passes

Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Rowland Heights?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 38% of the 326 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is LASD (N959LA), 17 recorded passes. They typically fly at 950–1,350 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 Rowland Heights?

News helicopters account for 14% of the 326 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 18 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,650 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 fire helicopter over Rowland Heights?

Fire and air-medical helicopters account for 6% of the 326 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N110LA), 6 recorded passes. Fire and air-medical aircraft respond to fires, rescues and hospital transports — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Rowland Heights?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 950–1,350 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,200–1,700 ft; news helicopters at 1,200–1,650 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 Rowland Heights?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 7.2 hours overhead across 123 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.