Helicopters over South Gate

Sheriff's helicopters over South Gate

2,187 of 3,032 recorded passes over South Gate were sheriff's helicopters — 72% of the traffic here, 82.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 66 recorded passestypically 600–800 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 South Gate

358 of 3,032 recorded passes over South Gate were private and charter helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 8.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Robinson Helicopter (N13FR), 11 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 900–1,350 ft

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

News helicopters over South Gate

330 of 3,032 recorded passes over South Gate were news helicopters — 11% of the traffic here, 11.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 10 recorded passestypically 800–1,000 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.

Police helicopters over South Gate

103 of 3,032 recorded passes over South Gate were police helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 3.5 hours overhead in total.

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 South Gate?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 72% of the 3,032 helicopter passes recorded over South Gate. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 66 recorded passes. They typically fly at 600–800 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.

Is that a news helicopter over South Gate?

News helicopters account for 11% of the 3,032 helicopter passes recorded over South Gate. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 10 recorded passes. They typically fly at 800–1,000 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.

Why is a police helicopter circling over South Gate?

Police helicopters account for 3% of the 3,032 helicopter passes recorded over South Gate. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

How high do helicopters fly over South Gate?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 600–800 ft; private and charter helicopters at 900–1,350 ft; news helicopters at 800–1,000 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 South Gate?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 82.6 hours overhead across 2,187 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.