Helicopters over Santa Monica

Police helicopters over Santa Monica

869 of 1,700 recorded passes over Santa Monica were police helicopters — 51% of the traffic here, 37.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 30 recorded passestypically 150–400 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Santa Monica

655 of 1,700 recorded passes over Santa Monica were private and charter helicopters — 39% of the traffic here, 20.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 8 recorded passesusually 12pm–3pmtypically 400–900 ft

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

News helicopters over Santa Monica

103 of 1,700 recorded passes over Santa Monica were news helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 10.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 7 recorded passesusually 6am–9amtypically 800–1,200 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.

Military helicopters over Santa Monica

33 of 1,700 recorded passes over Santa Monica were military helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 3.1 hours overhead in total.

Military aircraft are almost always transiting between bases or on training flights; they rarely orbit a neighborhood.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Santa Monica?

Police helicopters account for 51% of the 1,700 helicopter passes recorded over Santa Monica. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 30 recorded passes. They typically fly at 150–400 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 Santa Monica?

News helicopters account for 6% of the 1,700 helicopter passes recorded over Santa Monica. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 6am–9am here. They typically fly at 800–1,200 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 Santa Monica?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 150–400 ft; private and charter helicopters at 400–900 ft; news helicopters at 800–1,200 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 Santa Monica?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 37.6 hours overhead across 869 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.