Helicopters over South LA

Police helicopters over South LA

960 of 1,019 recorded passes over South LA were police helicopters — 94% of the traffic here, 96.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 41 recorded passestypically 450–600 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 South LA

38 of 1,019 recorded passes over South LA were sheriff's helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 2.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 5 recorded passesusually 1am–4amtypically 400–800 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 LA

17 of 1,019 recorded passes over South LA were private and charter helicopters — 2% of the traffic here, 0.6 hours overhead in total.

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over South LA?

Police helicopters account for 94% of the 1,019 helicopter passes recorded over South LA. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 41 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–600 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 South LA?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 4% of the 1,019 helicopter passes recorded over South LA. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 1am–4am here. They typically fly at 400–800 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.

How high do helicopters fly over South LA?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 450–600 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 400–800 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 LA?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 96.2 hours overhead across 960 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.