Helicopters over Valencia

Private and charter helicopters over Valencia

300 of 662 recorded passes over Valencia were private and charter helicopters — 45% of the traffic here, 16 hours overhead in total.

usually 8am–11amtypically 1,400–2,100 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 Valencia

186 of 662 recorded passes over Valencia were sheriff's helicopters — 28% of the traffic here, 9.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 18 recorded passesusually 8pm–11pmtypically 1,550–1,900 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Valencia

100 of 662 recorded passes over Valencia were fire helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N307FD), 7 recorded passesusually 10am–1pmtypically 1,500–2,250 ft

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

News helicopters over Valencia

48 of 662 recorded passes over Valencia were news helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 2.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 4 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,900–2,500 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.

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Valencia?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 28% of the 662 helicopter passes recorded over Valencia. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 18 recorded passes. They are usually 8pm–11pm here. They typically fly at 1,550–1,900 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 Valencia?

Fire helicopters account for 15% of the 662 helicopter passes recorded over Valencia. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N307FD), 7 recorded passes. They are usually 10am–1pm here. They typically fly at 1,500–2,250 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

Is that a news helicopter over Valencia?

News helicopters account for 7% of the 662 helicopter passes recorded over Valencia. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N50Q), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 4pm–7pm here. They typically fly at 1,900–2,500 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 Valencia?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,400–2,100 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,550–1,900 ft; fire helicopters at 1,500–2,250 ft; news helicopters at 1,900–2,500 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 Valencia?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 16 hours overhead across 300 recorded passes. Private and charter aircraft are usually in transit, on a tour or a survey flight, and pass through without stopping.

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.