Helicopters over Shadow Hills

Private and charter helicopters over Shadow Hills

199 of 527 recorded passes over Shadow Hills were private and charter helicopters — 38% of the traffic here, 5.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N703WP), 16 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 1,600–2,200 ft

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

Police helicopters over Shadow Hills

135 of 527 recorded passes over Shadow Hills were police helicopters — 26% of the traffic here, 10.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N267LA), 10 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,850 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Shadow Hills

93 of 527 recorded passes over Shadow Hills were fire helicopters — 18% of the traffic here, 8.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N303FD), 12 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 1,500–1,900 ft

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

News helicopters over Shadow Hills

82 of 527 recorded passes over Shadow Hills were news helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 5.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 14 recorded passestypically 1,600–1,900 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Shadow Hills?

Police helicopters account for 26% of the 527 helicopter passes recorded over Shadow Hills. The one you see most is LAPD (N267LA), 10 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,500–1,850 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Shadow Hills?

Fire helicopters account for 18% of the 527 helicopter passes recorded over Shadow Hills. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N303FD), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Shadow Hills?

News helicopters account for 16% of the 527 helicopter passes recorded over Shadow Hills. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 14 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,600–1,900 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 Shadow Hills?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,600–2,200 ft; police helicopters at 1,500–1,850 ft; fire helicopters at 1,500–1,900 ft; news helicopters at 1,600–1,900 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 Shadow Hills?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 10.4 hours overhead across 135 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.