Helicopters over USC

Police helicopters over USC

1,424 of 2,132 recorded passes over USC were police helicopters — 67% of the traffic here, 87.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 36 recorded passestypically 600–800 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 USC

405 of 2,132 recorded passes over USC were private and charter helicopters — 19% of the traffic here, 11.6 hours overhead in total.

usually 6pm–9pmtypically 1,000–1,300 ft

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

News helicopters over USC

247 of 2,132 recorded passes over USC were news helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 12.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passestypically 1,200–1,600 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 USC

29 of 2,132 recorded passes over USC were sheriff's helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 2.4 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 USC?

Police helicopters account for 67% of the 2,132 helicopter passes recorded over USC. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 36 recorded passes. They typically fly at 600–800 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 USC?

News helicopters account for 12% of the 2,132 helicopter passes recorded over USC. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 8 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,200–1,600 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 USC?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 1% of the 2,132 helicopter passes recorded over USC. 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 USC?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 600–800 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,000–1,300 ft; news helicopters at 1,200–1,600 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 USC?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 87.1 hours overhead across 1,424 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.