Helicopters over San Pedro

Private and charter helicopters over San Pedro

1,961 of 2,409 recorded passes over San Pedro were private and charter helicopters — 81% of the traffic here, 167.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Robinson Helicopter (N244RH), 29 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 550–1,150 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 Pedro

236 of 2,409 recorded passes over San Pedro were police helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 27.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 6 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 100–450 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over San Pedro

82 of 2,409 recorded passes over San Pedro were sheriff's helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 5 hours overhead in total.

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

Fire helicopters over San Pedro

64 of 2,409 recorded passes over San Pedro were fire helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 7.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N190LA), 4 recorded passestypically 150–700 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over San Pedro?

Police helicopters account for 10% of the 2,409 helicopter passes recorded over San Pedro. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 6 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 100–450 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 sheriff's helicopter over San Pedro?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 3% of the 2,409 helicopter passes recorded over San Pedro. 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 San Pedro?

Fire helicopters account for 3% of the 2,409 helicopter passes recorded over San Pedro. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N190LA), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 150–700 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 San Pedro?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 550–1,150 ft; police helicopters at 100–450 ft; fire helicopters at 150–700 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 San Pedro?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 167.1 hours overhead across 1,961 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.