How Can Franklin Obtain the Ultimate Ride: Helicopters in GTA 5
As an experienced Grand Theft Auto fan, I know that helicopters are essential for fully enjoying everything this incredible open world game has to offer. The ability to rapidly traverse the huge map and reach new heights lets you fully experience the freedom and beauty of Los Santos and Blaine County.
So for those looking to score these awesome aircraft as Franklin, I‘ve prepared the ultimate guide on the various ways you can get your own chopper – without having to rob a bank!
There are three main paths to helicopter happiness:
- Buy property with helipads – Invest in spawn points to get airborne quicker
- Steal birds around the city – Temporarily grab whirlybirds when you‘re broke
- Earn dollars to upgrade – Fund your dream machine through missions
Let‘s break down each one in detail so you can decide the best strategy on your road to aerial success!
1. Buy Property With Helipads
Purchasing a property with a built-in helipad is the most convenient way to ensure reliable access to helicopters from a fixed location. I highly recommend this approach once you‘ve built up Franklin‘s bank account.
Los Santos International Airport Hangar
With $1,378,000 burning a hole in your pocket, consider the LSIA hangar purchase. Pricey yes, but with great benefits:
- Store purchased and stolen helicopters safely
- Customize paint jobs, armor, handling, weapons, and more
- Speedy runway access for rapid takeoffs
I love having an attack chopper stored here ready for action whenever craziness strikes in Los Santos!
- Downside: Cost may be prohibitive early on
- Who Can Buy: Franklin and Michael only
Vespucci Helipad
If funds are low, the Vespucci helipad provides an affordable alternative spawn point for only $419,850. Beach views and city access don‘t hurt either!
- Stores one helicopter
- No customization available
- Great central location near the action
Early on I kept an eye on this helipad, grabbing the helicopter when it spawned until I could buy it myself. Highly recommended starter owned helipad.
2. Steal Helicopters Around the City
If buying property is still out of reach, you can grab helicopters temporarily from various spawn points around Los Santos. Here are the best places I‘ve discovered to straight up steal whirlybirds:
Hospital Helipads
Several hospitals around the city have helicopters landing on their rooftops ready to swipe. Police will come after you, but it‘s an easy way to sample flight.
- Locations: Central Los Santos Medical Center, Mount Zonah Medical Center, St. Fiacre Hospital
- Typically air ambulances and other medical choppers
- Risk of wanted level when stealing
| Hospital | Number of Helipads |
|---|---|
| Central Los Santos Medical Center | 2 |
| Mount Zonah Medical Center | 1 |
| St. Fiacre Hospital | 1 |
I prefer the Central LS Medical Center right downtown. Lots of room to maneuver, just watch for snipers!
Police Building Roofs
If you‘re feeling bold, parked police choppers can frequently be found on top of police stations just begging to be flown off in.
- Tapier building police helicopter always spawns
- Wanted level likely during getaway
- Fun challenge dodging pursuing cops
Bonus tip – the building just south of the Maze Bank Arena has landed choppers that spawn somewhat regularly from my experience.
Los Santos Airport
While buying a hangar here takes big bucks, helicopters naturally spawn all over the tarmac for opportunistic thieves.
- Variety of luxury, attack, transport, and emergency choppers
- Risk being shot down fast by military
- Quick runway escape possible
I once grabbed a sweet Annihilator attack helicopter during an epic 5 star wanted escape. Joy ride of a lifetime!
3. Earn Dollars to Upgrade Your Ride
Now while stealing birds is fun in the short term, owning your own upgraded chopper complete with weapons and other mods is the ultimate goal!
Luckily there are plenty of paths for Franklin to rake in cash fast so you can purchase property with spawn access. Or earn enough to buy a swift Sparrow or devastating Buzzard straight into your hangar once purchased.
Here are my top strategies:
Street Racing
With Franklin‘s special ability to slow down time while driving, winning local street races in modified sports cars can bank easy money.
My suggestion – grab a Coil Voltic super electric car for around $150k and max out acceleration components. Smoke the competition in no time!
- Entry fees typically between $100 to $200
- First place wins between $100 to thousands
- Use special ability for easy wins
I earned over $250k one weekend crushing back to back midnight races in my pimped out Voltic.
Property Investment
Once you complete certain missions, Franklin can purchase properties around Los Santos that will generate periodic income.
My portfolio for consistent cash rolls:
- Downtown Cab Co – $200k
- Smoke on the Water Weed Farm – $204k purchase
- Hookies Fast Food Joint – $600k purchase
That‘s ~$9.6k per in-game day for minimal work. Adds up fast!
Smart Stock Plays
GTA‘s stock exchange (BAWSAQ) offers opportunities to massively multiply money with savvy investing. I‘ve earned over $500 million with Michael from a few choice trades!
Requires patience but profit potential is insane.
- Study historical performance
- Leverage Franklin‘s special skill for inside info
- Invest big after key missions
If you‘re curious, search for the assassinations guide – just don‘t trigger the heists until you‘ve bought all recommendations!
Missions / Heists
Last but not least – completing open world missions, contacts, and high stakes multi-part heists can yield big payouts to grow Franklin‘s account.
I always probe Lester and other underworld contacts for opportunities in between chaotic free play.
- Target big ticket finale scores
- Replay lucrative missions on higher difficulties
- Take a larger cut for more income
With large lump mission sums, it doesn‘t take long to bank the ~$1.8 million needed for both the Vespucci Helipad and LSIA Hangar purchases.
I hope these GTA 5 Franklin helicopter tips help you rule the Los Santos skies! Let me know if you have any other questions – soaring in choppers is one of my favorite parts of this incredible game.
Stay tuned for more meta breaking guides and don‘t be afraid to push the boundaries of everything Rockstar has packed into their masterpiece!
