Helicopters over Venice

Police helicopters over Venice

674 of 1,235 recorded passes over Venice were police helicopters — 55% of the traffic here, 42.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 28 recorded passestypically 150–400 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 Venice

487 of 1,235 recorded passes over Venice were private and charter helicopters — 39% of the traffic here, 10.7 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 16 recorded passesusually 4pm–7pmtypically 400–600 ft

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

News helicopters over Venice

50 of 1,235 recorded passes over Venice were news helicopters — 4% of the traffic here, 3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 3 recorded passes

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.

Military helicopters over Venice

9 of 1,235 recorded passes over Venice were military helicopters — 1% of the traffic here, 0.9 hours overhead in total.

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Venice?

Police helicopters account for 55% of the 1,235 helicopter passes recorded over Venice. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 28 recorded passes. They typically fly at 150–400 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 Venice?

News helicopters account for 4% of the 1,235 helicopter passes recorded over Venice. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 3 recorded passes. 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 Venice?

From the passes recorded here: police helicopters at 150–400 ft; private and charter helicopters at 400–600 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 Venice?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 42.3 hours overhead across 674 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.