Helicopters over Rowland Heights

Private and charter helicopters over Rowland Heights

219 of 619 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were private and charter helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 5.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Spitzer Helicopter (N273SH), 21 recorded passestypically 1,400–2,100 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 Rowland Heights

216 of 619 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were sheriff's helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 11.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 20 recorded passestypically 1,050–1,400 ft

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

News helicopters over Rowland Heights

68 of 619 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 2.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,300–1,700 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 helicopters over Rowland Heights

40 of 619 recorded passes over Rowland Heights were fire helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 1.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N120LA), 7 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,900 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Rowland Heights?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 35% of the 619 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 20 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,050–1,400 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 11% of the 619 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,300–1,700 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 helicopters account for 6% of the 619 helicopter passes recorded over Rowland Heights. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N120LA), 7 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,500–1,900 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 Rowland Heights?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,400–2,100 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,050–1,400 ft; news helicopters at 1,300–1,700 ft; fire helicopters at 1,500–1,900 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: 11.3 hours overhead across 216 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.