Helicopters over Sun Village

Private and charter helicopters over Sun Village

81 of 231 recorded passes over Sun Village were private and charter helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 3.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N817CE), 10 recorded passestypically 3,350–5,200 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Sun Village

68 of 231 recorded passes over Sun Village were sheriff's helicopters — 29% of the traffic here, 5.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 12 recorded passesusually 3pm–6pmtypically 3,050–3,400 ft

Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

Military helicopters over Sun Village

27 of 231 recorded passes over Sun Village were military helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 1.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Mil / CG (22-14540), 4 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 4,750–6,950 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Sun Village

24 of 231 recorded passes over Sun Village were fire helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 1.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Fire/EMS (N15LA), 11 recorded passesusually 1pm–4pmtypically 2,950–3,400 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Sun Village?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 29% of the 231 helicopter passes recorded over Sun Village. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 12 recorded passes. They are usually 3pm–6pm here. They typically fly at 3,050–3,400 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Sun Village?

Fire helicopters account for 10% of the 231 helicopter passes recorded over Sun Village. The one you see most is Fire/EMS (N15LA), 11 recorded passes. They are usually 1pm–4pm here. They typically fly at 2,950–3,400 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Sun Village?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 3,350–5,200 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 3,050–3,400 ft; military helicopters at 4,750–6,950 ft; fire helicopters at 2,950–3,400 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 Sun Village?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 5.2 hours overhead across 68 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.