Helicopters over Watts

Private and charter helicopters over Watts

961 of 2,677 recorded passes over Watts were private and charter helicopters — 36% of the traffic here, 19.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Emerald City Aircraft (N7530M), 55 recorded passesusually 5pm–8pmtypically 500–950 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 Watts

718 of 2,677 recorded passes over Watts were sheriff's helicopters — 27% of the traffic here, 58.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N956LA), 21 recorded passestypically 450–700 ft

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

Police helicopters over Watts

623 of 2,677 recorded passes over Watts were police helicopters — 23% of the traffic here, 56.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 8 recorded passesusually 7pm–10pmtypically 400–600 ft

Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

News helicopters over Watts

314 of 2,677 recorded passes over Watts were news helicopters — 12% of the traffic here, 18.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passestypically 900–1,100 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 Watts?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 27% of the 2,677 helicopter passes recorded over Watts. The one you see most is LASD (N956LA), 21 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–700 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 police helicopter circling over Watts?

Police helicopters account for 23% of the 2,677 helicopter passes recorded over Watts. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 7pm–10pm here. They typically fly at 400–600 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 Watts?

News helicopters account for 12% of the 2,677 helicopter passes recorded over Watts. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 4 recorded passes. They typically fly at 900–1,100 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 Watts?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 500–950 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 450–700 ft; police helicopters at 400–600 ft; news helicopters at 900–1,100 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 Watts?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 58.6 hours overhead across 718 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.