Helicopters over Silver Lake

Police helicopters over Silver Lake

411 of 571 recorded passes over Silver Lake were police helicopters — 72% of the traffic here, 18.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 30 recorded passestypically 900–1,150 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 Silver Lake

94 of 571 recorded passes over Silver Lake were private and charter helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 4 recorded passestypically 1,400–1,600 ft

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

News helicopters over Silver Lake

42 of 571 recorded passes over Silver Lake were news helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 2.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 5 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,200–1,400 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.

Sheriff's helicopters over Silver Lake

10 of 571 recorded passes over Silver Lake were sheriff's helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 0.7 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Silver Lake?

Police helicopters account for 72% of the 571 helicopter passes recorded over Silver Lake. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 30 recorded passes. They typically fly at 900–1,150 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 Silver Lake?

News helicopters account for 7% of the 571 helicopter passes recorded over Silver Lake. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,200–1,400 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Silver Lake?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 2% of the 571 helicopter passes recorded over Silver Lake. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

How high do helicopters fly over Silver Lake?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 900–1,150 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,400–1,600 ft; news helicopters at 1,200–1,400 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 Silver Lake?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 18.3 hours overhead across 411 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.