Helicopters over San Gabriel

Sheriff's helicopters over San Gabriel

41 of 113 recorded passes over San Gabriel were sheriff's helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N959LA), 7 recorded passestypically 950–1,200 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 San Gabriel

30 of 113 recorded passes over San Gabriel were private and charter helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 0.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Masok Air (N567PW), 6 recorded passestypically 1,200–2,000 ft

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

Police helicopters over San Gabriel

20 of 113 recorded passes over San Gabriel were police helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 0.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Pasadena PD (N239PS), 7 recorded passesusually 9pm–12amtypically 1,300–2,100 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 San Gabriel

19 of 113 recorded passes over San Gabriel were news helicopters — 17% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: AIR7 (N71HD), 6 recorded passestypically 1,150–1,800 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over San Gabriel?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 36% of the 113 helicopter passes recorded over San Gabriel. The one you see most is LASD (N959LA), 7 recorded passes. They typically fly at 950–1,200 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 police helicopter circling over San Gabriel?

Police helicopters account for 18% of the 113 helicopter passes recorded over San Gabriel. The one you see most is Pasadena PD (N239PS), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 9pm–12am here. They typically fly at 1,300–2,100 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 San Gabriel?

News helicopters account for 17% of the 113 helicopter passes recorded over San Gabriel. The one you see most is AIR7 (N71HD), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,150–1,800 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 San Gabriel?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 950–1,200 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,200–2,000 ft; police helicopters at 1,300–2,100 ft; news helicopters at 1,150–1,800 ft. These are the middle half of measured altitudes above sea level for each group, not a floor or a ceiling.

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.