The fastest way to get a helicopter in GTA 5

The easiest helicopter to find in GTA 5 is the one that spawns on top of the FIB building in downtown Los Santos. Go to the intersection of Integrity Way and Pillbox Hill, then climb the stairs or use a vehicle to reach the roof. The helicopter sits on the landing pad at the top. Walk up to it, press the button to enter (Triangle on PlayStation, Y on Xbox), and you now control it.

This helicopter respawns regularly, so if someone else has taken it or it is not there when you arrive, leave the area and come back in a few minutes. The FIB building is a restricted area, so police will chase you once you take off, but you can fly away before they reach you. The wanted level disappears once you are far enough away or you can land in a secluded spot and wait for it to clear.

Key Takeaways

  • The FIB building rooftop in downtown Los Santos has a helicopter that spawns regularly and is the most reliable place to find one.
  • Entering a helicopter requires you to walk up to it and press the interaction button — Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox.
  • Taking a helicopter from the FIB building triggers a wanted level, but flying away quickly or landing in a remote area will let you escape.
  • Helipads at hospitals, the airport, and the military base also have helicopters, though some are harder to reach without getting caught.

Other helicopter locations around the map

Los Santos International Airport has multiple helicopters parked near the hangars on the east side of the runway. These are easier to steal than the FIB helicopter because the airport has fewer police patrols inside the tarmac area. Land a plane or helicopter there first, or drive through the gates and head straight for the hangars. The wanted level you get is lower than at the FIB building.

Pillbox Medical Center has a helicopter on its rooftop helipad. This one spawns less often than the FIB building helicopter, but it is in a less restricted area. You can reach it by climbing the exterior of the hospital or by flying another helicopter onto the pad. Police response is slower here than downtown.

Fort Zancudo, the military base in the desert, has helicopters on its tarmac, but entering the base when ready gives you a four-star wanted level. This location is only worth visiting if you are already in a helicopter or have a fast escape plan. The military base is the hardest helicopter location to reach without getting shot down.

How to fly a helicopter once you have one

Once you are inside a helicopter, use the left stick to tilt forward, backward, left, and right. The right stick controls rotation — push it left or right to spin the helicopter. Hold down the accelerate button (R2 on PlayStation, RT on Xbox) to gain altitude and move forward. Release it to slow down and descend.

Helicopters are slower and harder to control than planes, but they can hover in place and land on any flat surface. Practice in an empty area away from buildings and power lines before you try flying through the city. Hitting obstacles will damage the helicopter and eventually cause it to crash. If you crash, you will lose the helicopter and may take damage yourself.

Keeping a helicopter for later use

Helicopters do not stay parked where you leave them like cars do. If you land a helicopter and walk away, it will disappear after a short time. To keep a helicopter permanently, you need to store it in a hangar or garage that accepts aircraft. Franklin, Michael, and Trevor each have properties with aircraft storage once you progress far enough in the story.

The easiest way to store a helicopter early in the game is to steal one and fly it directly to your character's garage or hangar. If you do not have aircraft storage yet, you will need to complete more story missions to unlock it. Once you own a hangar, any helicopter you fly inside will be saved and available whenever you return.

Why helicopters are useful in GTA 5

Helicopters let you travel across the map faster than driving and avoid traffic and obstacles on the ground. They are also useful for reaching high places and for certain missions that require you to fly. Some missions force you to use a helicopter, so knowing how to fly one makes those missions easier.

Helicopters are also fun to use for exploration. You can fly over the ocean, mountains, and the city to see areas you cannot reach by car. Flying at night or during storms creates a different experience than daytime flying. Many players steal helicopters just to explore and have fun rather than for a specific mission goal.

What to do if you crash or lose your helicopter

If your helicopter takes too much damage and crashes, you will fall out and the helicopter will be destroyed. You take fall damage based on how high you were when it crashed. If you were flying low, you might survive with minor injuries. If you were high in the air, the fall will likely kill you and you will respawn at the nearest hospital.

If you crash near a wanted level, police will continue chasing you even after you leave the helicopter. Run or drive away to escape, or hide in an alley until the wanted level clears. If you want to try flying again, head back to the FIB building or airport and steal another helicopter. They respawn frequently enough that you will not have to wait long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a helicopter instead of stealing one?

Yes, but only after you unlock aircraft hangars through story progression. Once you own a hangar, you can purchase helicopters from the Warstock Cache and Carry website using in-game money. Buying is more expensive than stealing, but the helicopter is yours permanently and you do not have to deal with police.

What is the difference between a helicopter and a plane in GTA 5?

Helicopters can hover and land on small spaces like rooftops. Planes need a runway to take off and land. Helicopters are slower but more maneuverable in tight spaces. Planes are faster and better for long-distance travel. Both are useful depending on what you are trying to do.

Do I lose the helicopter if I get arrested?

Yes. If police arrest you, the helicopter disappears and you respawn at the police station. If you want to keep a helicopter, avoid getting caught by police or land it in a safe location far from the action before you engage in combat.

Can I use a helicopter in online multiplayer?

Yes, helicopters spawn in the same locations in GTA Online as they do in single-player. You can steal them the same way, but other players can also steal the helicopter you are flying. In multiplayer, helicopters are often targets for combat, so flying one in a populated area is riskier than in single-player.

Which helicopter is the easiest to fly?

The Frogger and Maverick are the most stable helicopters in the game and are good for beginners. The Buzzard is faster and has weapons, but it is harder to control. Start with a basic helicopter from the FIB building or airport to practice, then try armed helicopters once you are comfortable with the controls.