Helicopters over Wilmington

Private and charter helicopters over Wilmington

740 of 1,264 recorded passes over Wilmington were private and charter helicopters — 59% of the traffic here, 30.6 hours overhead in total.

Most often: Goodyear Blimp (N2A), 36 recorded passestypically 700–1,400 ft

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

Police helicopters over Wilmington

271 of 1,264 recorded passes over Wilmington were police helicopters — 21% of the traffic here, 33.3 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LAPD (N224LA), 12 recorded passestypically 350–750 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 Wilmington

102 of 1,264 recorded passes over Wilmington were sheriff's helicopters — 8% of the traffic here, 4.8 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LASD (N950LA), 8 recorded passesusually 6am–9amtypically 600–750 ft

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

Fire helicopters over Wilmington

61 of 1,264 recorded passes over Wilmington were fire helicopters — 5% of the traffic here, 1.5 hours overhead in total.

Most often: LA City Fire (N303FD), 4 recorded passesusually 6pm–9pmtypically 550–900 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 Wilmington?

Police helicopters account for 21% of the 1,264 helicopter passes recorded over Wilmington. The one you see most is LAPD (N224LA), 12 recorded passes. They typically fly at 350–750 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 Wilmington?

Sheriff's helicopters account for 8% of the 1,264 helicopter passes recorded over Wilmington. The one you see most is LASD (N950LA), 8 recorded passes. They are usually 6am–9am here. They typically fly at 600–750 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 fire helicopter over Wilmington?

Fire helicopters account for 5% of the 1,264 helicopter passes recorded over Wilmington. The one you see most is LA City Fire (N303FD), 4 recorded passes. They are usually 6pm–9pm here. They typically fly at 550–900 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 Wilmington?

From the passes recorded here: private and charter helicopters at 700–1,400 ft; police helicopters at 350–750 ft; sheriff's helicopters at 600–750 ft; fire helicopters at 550–900 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 Wilmington?

Most passes are brief — a minute or two straight through. The aircraft that stay longest here are police helicopters: 33.3 hours overhead across 271 recorded passes. Police aircraft typically fly tight, repeated orbits over one spot to support officers on the ground, and can hold for a long time.

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.