Helicopters over Valley Village

Police helicopters over Valley Village

1,141 of 2,273 recorded passes over Valley Village were police helicopters — 50% of the traffic here, 64.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N267LA), 34 recorded passestypically 1,050–1,250 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 Valley Village

728 of 2,273 recorded passes over Valley Village were private and charter helicopters — 32% of the traffic here, 16.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 25 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 1,100–1,300 ft

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

News helicopters over Valley Village

352 of 2,273 recorded passes over Valley Village were news helicopters — 15% of the traffic here, 11.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 16 recorded passestypically 1,200–1,500 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.

Fire helicopters over Valley Village

30 of 2,273 recorded passes over Valley Village were fire helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 0.7 hours overhead in total.

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 Valley Village?

Police helicopters account for 50% of the 2,273 helicopter passes recorded over Valley Village. The one you see most is LAPD (N267LA), 34 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,050–1,250 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 Valley Village?

News helicopters account for 15% of the 2,273 helicopter passes recorded over Valley Village. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 16 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,200–1,500 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.

Why is a fire helicopter over Valley Village?

Fire helicopters account for 1% of the 2,273 helicopter passes recorded over Valley Village. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Valley Village?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 1,050–1,250 ft; private and charter helicopters at 1,100–1,300 ft; news helicopters at 1,200–1,500 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 Valley Village?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 64.7 hours overhead across 1,141 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.