Helicopters over Westwood

Private and charter helicopters over Westwood

819 of 1,691 recorded passes over Westwood were private and charter helicopters — 48% of the traffic here, 26.1 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Lite Flight (N825VJ), 16 recorded passestypically 700–1,200 ft

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

Police helicopters over Westwood

585 of 1,691 recorded passes over Westwood were police helicopters — 35% of the traffic here, 21.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N232LA), 25 recorded passestypically 850–1,150 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 Westwood

176 of 1,691 recorded passes over Westwood were news helicopters — 10% of the traffic here, 10 hours overhead in total.

Most often: ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 9 recorded passesusually 5am–8amtypically 1,100–1,650 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 Westwood

43 of 1,691 recorded passes over Westwood were fire helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 3.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA Co FD (N190LA), 4 recorded passesusually 2am–5amtypically 650–1,500 ft

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 Westwood?

Police helicopters account for 35% of the 1,691 helicopter passes recorded over Westwood. The one you see most is LAPD (N232LA), 25 recorded passes. They typically fly at 850–1,150 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 Westwood?

News helicopters account for 10% of the 1,691 helicopter passes recorded over Westwood. The one you see most is ABC NewsCopter (N828AP), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 5am–8am here. They typically fly at 1,100–1,650 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 Westwood?

Fire helicopters account for 3% of the 1,691 helicopter passes recorded over Westwood. The one you see most is LA Co FD (N190LA), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 2am–5am here. They typically fly at 650–1,500 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 Westwood?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 700–1,200 ft; police helicopters at 850–1,150 ft; news helicopters at 1,100–1,650 ft; fire helicopters at 650–1,500 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 Westwood?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are private and charter helicopters: 26.1 hours overhead across 819 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.