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Podcasts Take Two
What's it like to fly on an LAPD helicopter patrol?
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May 22, 2013
Listen • 4:16
What's it like to fly on an LAPD helicopter patrol?
A ride-along on an LAPD helicopter patrol is largely uneventful, as are many patrols. But the department insists the choppers play a valuable role.
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
The view towards Santa Monic from a shift with the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter division.
The view towards Santa Monic from a shift with the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter division.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
An LAPD helicopter flies toward Downtown Los Angeles on December 19, 2012.
An LAPD helicopter flies toward Downtown Los Angeles on December 19, 2012.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
A police helicopter takes off from the Los Angeles Police Department helipad in Downtown. During the day, there is always one helicopter in the air patrolling the city skies.
A police helicopter takes off from the Los Angeles Police Department helipad in Downtown. During the day, there is always one helicopter in the air patrolling the city skies.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
LAPD helicopter pilot Kevin Cook exits the helipad after a three-hour shift in the skies above Los Angeles.
LAPD helicopter pilot Kevin Cook exits the helipad after a three-hour shift in the skies above Los Angeles.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
LAPD helicopter pilot Kevin Cook watches a colleague come in for a landing at the helicopter division's downtown helipad.
LAPD helicopter pilot Kevin Cook watches a colleague come in for a landing at the helicopter division's downtown helipad.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

A ride-along on an LAPD helicopter patrol is largely uneventful, as are many patrols. But the department insists the choppers play a valuable role.

At the end of the month, the FAA will propose new rules designed to reduce helicopter noise over Southern California , but don't expect it to go away entirely. The rules won't apply to medical or police choppers.

The nation’s largest police helicopter fleet lives  in downtown Los Angeles. The L.A. Police Department owns and operates 17 helicopters that cover  nearly 500 square miles of the city, from the San Fernando Valley to San Pedro.

Most of them launch and land around the clock from the police department’s spacious helipad, located just west of the Los Angeles River.  

In the first of three reports, KPCC's Erika goes airborne on patrol.