From GTA: Vice City to the latest version of the game series (GTA 5), players can fly a helicopter and fly around the city. This vehicle is a very efficient option when you need to move from one point to another in the city without having to pass through narrow streets and heavy traffic. This wikiHow teaches you how to fly a helicopter in GTA.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Fly a Helicopter (on PlayStation 2, 3, and 4)
Step 1. Press the triangle button to get on the helicopter
You can get into the helicopter the same way you get into the car. Stand next to the helicopter and press the triangle button on the PlayStation controller to go up.
Step 2. Press and hold the “R2” button to take off and fly higher
This button is the right trigger button at the top of the PlayStation controller. The “R2” button functions to take off and climb higher after you fly.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Vice City on PS2, press the "X" button to take off and raise the plane's altitude
Step 3. Use the left analog stick to pilot the helicopter
Push the left stick in the direction you want the helicopter to fly.
Steer the helicopter while holding down the “R2” button so you don't lose altitude
Step 4. Press the "R1" and "L1" buttons to adjust the yaw level
The “R1” and “L1” buttons are the “shoulder” buttons on the top of the PlayStation controller. Press the "R1" button to turn right and "L1" to turn left.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Vice City on Playstation 2, use the "R2" and "L2" buttons to control the degree of shake
Step 5. Press the "X" button to use the weapons mounted on the helicopter
This button functions to fire the main weapon bullets on helicopters with built-in weapons. You can adjust the aiming point by piloting the helicopter with the left analog stick towards the target.
Step 6. Use the right analog stick to adjust the camera view
The camera angle can be adjusted as you fly (eg from the first camera to the second or third camera). Simply press the right analog stick on the controller to change camera views.
Step 7. Press the right directional button to activate the special equipment
Some helicopters are equipped with special equipment such as grip hooks, magnets, and VTOLs. Press the right directional button to activate the modes or turn the lights on and off.
Step 8. Press “L2” button to go down
The “L2” button is the left trigger button on the PlayStation controller. Press this button to lower the helicopter. To land, press and hold the “L2” button until the helicopter descends slowly to the ground. When descending, use the left analog stick to move the steering wheel and help you land the helicopter at the target point.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Vice City on Playstation 2, press the square button to go down
Step 9. Press the triangle button to exit the helicopter
After the helicopter lands, press the triangle button to exit the vehicle.
You can also press the triangle button to exit the helicopter while it is in the air. However, if you do, your character will actually fall and die
Method 2 of 3: Fly a Helicopter (on Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
Step 1. Press the "Y" button to get on the helicopter
You can get into the helicopter the same way you get into the car. Stand next to the helicopter and press the “Y” button on the Xbox controller to go up.
Step 2. Press and hold the “RT” button to take off and raise the altitude of the helicopter
It's a trigger button in the upper-right corner of your Xbox controller. Hold your finger on this button until you reach the desired height.
Step 3. Use the left analog stick to pilot the helicopter
You can use the left analog stick to turn left or right and move forward or backward.
Steer the helicopter while holding down the “RT” button to move without losing altitude
Step 4. Use the “RB” and “LB” buttons to control the degree of shake
These right and left shoulder buttons are at the top of the Xbox controller. With these two buttons, you can turn or dive sharply.
Step 5. Press the "A" button to use the mounted weapon
This button functions to fire bullets at the helicopter's main weapon (if any). You can adjust the aiming point by piloting the helicopter with the left analog stick towards the target.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for Xbox, press the "B" button to shoot
Step 6. Use the right analog stick to control the camera view
The camera angle can be adjusted as you fly (eg from the first camera to the second or third camera). Simply press the left analog stick on the controller to change camera views.
Step 7. Press the right directional button to activate the special equipment
Some helicopters are equipped with special equipment such as grip hooks, magnets, and VTOLs. Press the right directional button to activate the modes or turn the lights on and off.
Step 8. Press “LT” key to go down
This left trigger button is at the top of the controller. When you want to land, press and hold the “LT” button to slowly lower the helicopter until it reaches the ground. While descending, use the left analog stick to pilot the helicopter and land the vehicle at the target point.
Step 9. Press "Y" button to exit the helicopter
After landing, press the “Y” key to exit the helicopter.
You can also exit the helicopter while it is in the air. However, if you do, your character will actually fall and die
Method 3 of 3: Flying a Helicopter (on PC)
Step 1. Press F key to get on the helicopter
You can get into the helicopter the same way you get into the car. Stand next to the helicopter and press the “F” key on the keyboard to go up.
Step 2. Press and hold the W button to take off and raise the altitude of the helicopter
Hold this button until you reach the desired height.
Step 3. Use the mouse to pilot the helicopter
You can control the helicopter by dragging the mouse in the desired direction. Slide the mouse forward to go forward.
You can also use the numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard to pilot the helicopter
Step 4. Use the A. button and D to control the degree of shake.
With these two buttons, you can make a sharp turn or dive. Press the “A” key on the keyboard to adjust the left swing level. Press the “D” button to adjust the right swing level.
Step 5. Press the left mouse button to use the existing weapons
Military and police helicopters are equipped with weapons such as machine guns and missiles. You can adjust the aiming point by piloting the helicopter using the mouse or numeric pad towards the target.
Step 6. Press V button to change camera view
The camera angle can be changed as you fly (eg from first camera to second camera, third camera [remote camera]).
Step 7. Press the E button to activate the special equipment
Some helicopters are equipped with special equipment such as grip hooks, magnets, and VTOLs. Press the "E" button to activate these modes or turn the lights on and off.
Step 8. Press the S button to descend and land the helicopter
When you want to land, press and hold the “S” button to slowly lower the helicopter. When descending, use the mouse or numeric pad to pilot the helicopter and help land the helicopter at the target point.
Step 9. Press F key to exit the helicopter
After landing, press “F” key to exit the helicopter.
