Why Helicopters Are Critical for Covering LA Breaking News

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Helinet Aviation’s ENG operation.

Matt Leighton

Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Helinet provides ENG services for KABC-TV in Los Angeles. This Airbus H125 (formerly formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350) is the main helicopter for KABC-TV. [Credit: Matt Leighton]

Key Takeaways:

ENG (electronic news gathering) helicopters are essential for covering breaking news in Los Angeles due to severe traffic, the vast geographical area, and the necessity for rapid response.
Helinet Aviation provides these critical ENG services in LA, operating Airbus H125 helicopters with a three-person crew (pilot, camera operator, reporter) and advanced equipment to transmit live footage.
The operation is a high-stress, dynamic job requiring complex coordination among multiple aircraft, especially during events like police pursuits, with safety being paramount.
Beyond breaking news, these helicopters are also vital for gathering unique aerial footage for various stories, providing perspectives unattainable by ground crews.

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Los Angeles is notorious for gridlock traffic and known for being what some call the police pursuit capital of the world. In the No. 2 television market in the country, getting to breaking news or those high-speed chases quickly usually involves doing so from the air.

Television stations across the country use ENG (electronic news gathering) helicopters as a tool to capture news live. However, as costs have tightened in newsrooms, the number of helicopters has decreased over the years.