Helicopters over Sylmar

Private and charter helicopters over Sylmar

472 of 1,314 recorded passes over Sylmar were private and charter helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 23.1 hours overhead in total.

usually 8am–11amtypically 1,400–1,900 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Sylmar

312 of 1,314 recorded passes over Sylmar were fire helicopters — 24% of the traffic here, 14.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N307FD), 11 recorded passestypically 1,550–1,950 ft

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

Police helicopters over Sylmar

271 of 1,314 recorded passes over Sylmar were police helicopters — 21% of the traffic here, 33.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N229LA), 13 recorded passestypically 1,450–1,700 ft

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

News helicopters over Sylmar

168 of 1,314 recorded passes over Sylmar were news helicopters — 13% of the traffic here, 9.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Sky5 (N925TV), 5 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,750–2,000 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Sylmar?

Fire helicopters account for 24% of the 1,314 helicopter passes recorded over Sylmar. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N307FD), 11 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,550–1,950 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Why is a police helicopter circling over Sylmar?

Police helicopters account for 21% of the 1,314 helicopter passes recorded over Sylmar. The one you see most is LAPD (N229LA), 13 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,450–1,700 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 Sylmar?

News helicopters account for 13% of the 1,314 helicopter passes recorded over Sylmar. The one you see most is Sky5 (N925TV), 5 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 1,750–2,000 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Sylmar?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,400–1,900 ft; fire helicopters at 1,550–1,950 ft; police helicopters at 1,450–1,700 ft; news helicopters at 1,750–2,000 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 Sylmar?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 33.9 hours overhead across 271 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.