Helicopters over Whittier Narrows

Sheriff's helicopters over Whittier Narrows

573 of 931 recorded passes over Whittier Narrows were sheriff's helicopters — 62% of the traffic here, 15.2 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N960LA), 52 recorded passestypically 850–1,150 ft

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

Private and charter helicopters over Whittier Narrows

195 of 931 recorded passes over Whittier Narrows were private and charter helicopters — 21% of the traffic here, 5.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Salmon River Helicopters (N155DB), 12 recorded passesusually 11am–2pmtypically 700–1,200 ft

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

News helicopters over Whittier Narrows

66 of 931 recorded passes over Whittier Narrows were news helicopters — 7% of the traffic here, 1.9 hours overhead in total.

Most often: SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 9 recorded passesusually 6am–9amtypically 1,000–1,200 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 Whittier Narrows

32 of 931 recorded passes over Whittier Narrows were fire helicopters — 3% of the traffic here, 1.4 hours overhead in total.

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 Whittier Narrows?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 62% of the 931 helicopter passes recorded over Whittier Narrows. The one you see most is LASD (N960LA), 52 recorded passes. They typically fly at 850–1,150 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 Whittier Narrows?

News helicopters account for 7% of the 931 helicopter passes recorded over Whittier Narrows. The one you see most is SkyFOX 11 / SkyCAL (N93DD), 9 recorded passes. They are usually 6am–9am here. They typically fly at 1,000–1,200 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 Whittier Narrows?

Fire helicopters account for 3% of the 931 helicopter passes recorded over Whittier Narrows. Fire department aircraft respond to fires and rescues — often brief, often low, and often straight in and out.

How high do helicopters fly over Whittier Narrows?

From the passes recorded here: sheriff's helicopters at 850–1,150 ft; private and charter helicopters at 700–1,200 ft; news helicopters at 1,000–1,200 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 Whittier Narrows?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are sheriff's helicopters: 15.2 hours overhead across 573 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.