Helicopters over Walnut

Private and charter helicopters over Walnut

296 of 737 recorded passes over Walnut were private and charter helicopters — 40% of the traffic here, 7.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Southern California Edison (N816CE), 12 recorded passestypically 1,400–1,800 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 Walnut

193 of 737 recorded passes over Walnut were sheriff's helicopters — 26% of the traffic here, 8.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N955LA), 16 recorded passestypically 1,250–1,550 ft

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

News helicopters over Walnut

77 of 737 recorded passes over Walnut were news helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 10 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,400–1,800 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 Walnut

69 of 737 recorded passes over Walnut were fire helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 2.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N120LA), 14 recorded passestypically 1,500–1,700 ft

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

Is that a sheriff's helicopter over Walnut?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 26% of the 737 helicopter passes recorded over Walnut. The one you see most is LASD (N955LA), 16 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,250–1,550 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.

Is that a news helicopter over Walnut?

News helicopters account for 10% of the 737 helicopter passes recorded over Walnut. The one you see most is SkyCAL / SkyFOX 11 (N39CL), 10 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,400–1,800 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 Walnut?

Fire helicopters account for 9% of the 737 helicopter passes recorded over Walnut. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N120LA), 14 recorded passes. They typically fly at 1,500–1,700 ft above sea level. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Walnut?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 1,400–1,800 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 1,250–1,550 ft; news helicopters at 1,400–1,800 ft; fire helicopters at 1,500–1,700 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 Walnut?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 8.5 hours overhead across 193 recorded passes. Sheriff's aircraft fly patrol, search and rescue across the county, and orbit a scene the same way police aircraft do.

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.