Helicopters over Westchester

Private and charter helicopters over Westchester

117 of 185 recorded passes over Westchester were private and charter helicopters — 63% of the traffic here, 4 hours overhead in total.

typically 2,500–3,550 ft

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

Police helicopters over Westchester

29 of 185 recorded passes over Westchester were police helicopters — 16% of the traffic here, 2.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 6 recorded passestypically 450–650 ft

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

Sheriff's helicopters over Westchester

17 of 185 recorded passes over Westchester were sheriff's helicopters — 9% of the traffic here, 0.4 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N958LA), 15 recorded passesusually 9am–12pmtypically 4,550–5,050 ft

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

Military helicopters over Westchester

11 of 185 recorded passes over Westchester were military helicopters — 6% of the traffic here, 0.2 hours overhead in total.

typically 3,900–4,100 ft

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

Why is a police helicopter circling over Westchester?

Police helicopters account for 16% of the 185 helicopter passes recorded over Westchester. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 6 recorded passes. They typically fly at 450–650 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 sheriff's helicopter over Westchester?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 9% of the 185 helicopter passes recorded over Westchester. The one you see most is LASD (N958LA), 15 recorded passes. They are usually 9am–12pm here. They typically fly at 4,550–5,050 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.

How high do helicopters fly over Westchester?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 2,500–3,550 ft; police helicopters at 450–650 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 4,550–5,050 ft; military helicopters at 3,900–4,100 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 Westchester?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 4 hours overhead across 117 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.