Helicopter noise in Los Angeles

Modeled estimates for general information only — not measurements, not a guarantee, and not for legal, medical or real-estate decisions.

Quiet LA does not map helicopter noise yet. Helicopters and individual overflights are not modeled, so a modeled level on the map does not include them.

What Quiet LA covers about helicopters

Los Angeles has no official helicopter noise contours or routes to build from, and mapping helicopters would need flight tracks. Quiet LA does not have that data in the map. See How it’s made and Sources & methods for what the model does include.

The map has a Heliports switch that marks known heliport and helipad locations, with hospital pads in a separate color. It is location context only. It is not a noise estimate.

The aircraft level is an estimate derived from official airport contours, in the 24 h view only. It does not add helicopter flights. See LAX and aircraft noise.

Open the map and the Heliports switch

Why helicopter noise is hard to map

The FAA says helicopters generally fly under visual flight rules, so they are not required to file a flight plan. Historical flight tracks are often not available to identify a helicopter by its registration number.

The FAA also says it has no restrictions that prevent helicopters from hovering. Under the federal minimum safe altitude rule, a helicopter may fly lower than other aircraft if it is done without hazard to people or property and follows any routes or altitudes the FAA prescribes for helicopters. Hovering and repeated low passes are what people notice, and an average level does not show them.

How to complain about helicopter noise in Los Angeles

Contacts checked against FAA and LAPD pages on 13 October 2026.

• To the FAA. To share a noise concern with the FAA, use its Aviation Noise Complaint and Inquiry Response (ANCIR) Portal, which the FAA’s how to file a noise complaint page links to. The FAA says complaints to the portal rarely lead to changes in airspace, but they do inform the FAA and policymakers.
• To the operator. For information about specific helicopter operations, the FAA says to contact the helicopter operator directly.
• LAPD helicopters. LAPD lists its Air Support Division at (213) 485-2600 for LAPD helicopters.
• Unsafe flying. The FAA says noise from low-flying aircraft is not a safety issue and should not be reported to a Flight Standards District Office. If you believe a helicopter is flying unsafely, report it to your local FAA Flight Standards District Office.
• Military aircraft. The FAA does not release information about military aircraft operations. It says to contact the base’s noise office or community relations department.

For other noise sources, see who to call about noise in Los Angeles.

What the map can and cannot tell you about helicopters

A modeled level on the map says nothing about helicopters, so it cannot promise a quiet night. The map does not show how often helicopters pass over a street.

Quiet LA also does not model construction, events, nightlife, neighbors or sirens. See Limits for the full list.