The basics of taking off and landing a helicopter

To fly a helicopter in GTA 5 on PC, you need to enter one first. Find a helicopter on the map—they spawn at hospitals, police stations, and helipads, or you can steal one during missions. Walk up to the helicopter and press F to enter as the pilot. Once inside, press W to start the rotors spinning.

To take off, hold Space to climb into the air. The longer you hold it, the higher you go. Use W and S to move forward and backward, and A and D to strafe left and right. To land, release Space and let the helicopter descend naturally, or press S to drop faster. Touch down on flat ground and the helicopter will settle.

Your helicopter has a fuel meter in the top left of the screen. When fuel runs low, land when ready or you will crash. Exit the helicopter by pressing F when it is on the ground and stationary.

Key Takeaways

  • Press F to enter a helicopter, then W to start the rotors before you can take off.
  • Hold Space to climb and release it to descend; use W, A, S, and D to move in all directions.
  • Watch your fuel meter and land before it empties, or the helicopter will crash and you will lose it.
  • Helicopters are slower to turn than planes but more stable, making them easier for new players to control.
  • You can fire weapons from a helicopter if you have a wanted level or are in a mission that allows it.

Controlling pitch, roll, and rotation

Helicopters in GTA 5 respond differently than cars or planes. When you press W, the helicopter tilts forward and moves in that direction—this is called pitch. Pressing S tilts it backward. Pressing A and D make the helicopter slide sideways without turning the nose, which is called strafe.

To rotate the helicopter so the nose points in a new direction, use Q and E. Q spins the helicopter counterclockwise and E spins it clockwise. This is useful when you need to aim at something or line up for a landing. Rotation is slower than pitch and roll, so plan your turns in advance.

If you oversteer and the helicopter starts spinning out of control, release all movement keys and let it stabilize. Then make small, gentle inputs to regain control. Jerky movements cause crashes.

Avoiding crashes and managing altitude

The most common mistake is flying too low. Buildings, trees, power lines, and the ground itself will destroy your helicopter when ready. Keep at least 50 feet of clearance above obstacles when you are learning. Use the altitude indicator on your HUD—the number in the top left shows your height above ground.

Helicopters lose altitude when you are not holding Space, so you must actively climb to stay airborne. If you are drifting toward the ground, hold Space before you hit it. If your rotors clip a building or tree, the helicopter will spin and crash within seconds.

Wind and weather do not affect helicopters in GTA 5, but other aircraft and police helicopters will collide with you. If you have a wanted level, police helicopters will chase you. Fly low and fast to escape, or land in a garage to lose your wanted level.

Finding and stealing helicopters

Helicopters spawn at specific locations on the map. The most reliable spawn point is the hospital in Pillbox Hill, where a helicopter lands regularly. Another common location is the NOOSE headquarters near the airport. During certain missions, helicopters are parked at helipads and you can take them without consequence.

If you steal a helicopter from a location where it is not meant to be taken, you will gain a wanted level. Police will shoot at you and helicopters will chase you. Fly away from the city or land in a garage to lose the wanted level, then you can keep the helicopter.

To keep a helicopter permanently, land it in your garage or on a landing pad at your property. Some properties have helipads where you can store aircraft. Once parked there, the helicopter becomes part of your collection and you can call it back if you lose it.

Using weapons while flying

Some helicopters in GTA 5 come equipped with guns. If you are flying a military or police helicopter, you can fire weapons by pressing Left Mouse Button. The crosshair on your screen shows where the bullets will go. Weapons drain ammunition quickly, so use them sparingly.

Not all helicopters have weapons. Civilian helicopters and those you steal from hospitals are unarmed. You can only fire weapons during missions where the game gives you an armed helicopter, or when you are in a helicopter with a gunner seat and another player is controlling the weapons.

If you want to practice combat flying, start a mission that gives you an armed helicopter. This lets you learn how to aim and fire without losing your own aircraft to police.

Switching between first-person and third-person view

Press V to switch between first-person and third-person camera views while flying. First-person view gives you a better sense of speed and direction, and it is easier to aim weapons. Third-person view lets you see the entire helicopter and your surroundings, which helps you avoid obstacles.

Most players use third-person view when learning because it is easier to judge distance and altitude. Once you are comfortable, switch to first-person for combat or precision flying. You can change views at any time during flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if the helicopter is spinning out of control?

Release all movement keys when ready and let the helicopter stabilize on its own. Once it stops spinning, make small, gentle inputs with W, A, S, and D to regain control. Avoid holding multiple keys at once, as this causes erratic movement.

Can I fly a helicopter underwater or in water?

No. If a helicopter touches water, it will sink and you will drown. Always land on solid ground or a rooftop. If you accidentally fly over water, climb higher and steer back toward land when ready.

How do I land a helicopter on a rooftop?

Approach the rooftop slowly and hover above it. Lower your altitude by releasing Space and pressing S gently. Once you are close to the roof, release all keys and let the helicopter settle. The rooftop must be flat and large enough for the helicopter to fit.

Why does my helicopter keep crashing when I try to turn?

You are likely turning too sharply or tilting too much. Use Q and E to rotate slowly, and make small adjustments with W and A/D. Helicopters need space to maneuver. Practice in an open area away from buildings until you get the feel for the controls.

Can I call a helicopter to me like I call a car?

Only if you own a helicopter and have parked it at your property or garage. Once stored, you can call it through the interaction menu. If you steal a helicopter and do not store it, you will lose it when you exit or it is destroyed.