Summary
One of the most enjoyable things to do inGrand Theft Autogames is fly around the city. Driving is fun, too, but there is something so satisfying about being up in the sky and peering down at the streets below. Yet, like in real life, you don’t just see flying vehicles around every corner. They’re in specific locations like atop helipads or in airports.
This makes sense as you wouldn’t park your very expensive helicopters or planes out where the general public can get their hands on them. The people of Los Santos have the same mentality. However, there are still places where you can acquire a helicopter. These are all the spots inGrand Theft Auto 5.
Updated on Jul 02, 2025 by Gabrielle Castania:With updates to our publishing standards, we’re back to update our list of where to get a helicopter in GTA to reflect the recent changes.
9Davis’s Sheriff Station
While doing missions for Franklin’s friend Tonya - someone who isn’t among themost likable characters in the game- you pick up and drop off a tow truck from a car park next to Davis’s Sheriff Station.
So, after driving around in that slow vehicle, you may want to head next door to acquire something quicker. This is because the Sheriff Station has a police chopper on the roof that you can steal.
To reach it, you must go around to the back of the building and climb up the ventilation.
8Central Los Santos Medical Center
Most hospitals have helipads to allow air ambulances to deliver patients quickly, and they can truly save lives. But come - on this is Grand Theft Auto, so who cares about that? The helipads are still useful, though, as they sometimes have helicopters parked on them.
They aren’t thereallthe time, but it’s a regular spawn point.
And luckily, on the southwest part of the Medical Center, there are various ladders and sets of stairs that give you easy access to the roof. Because of this, if any helicopters have spawned, you can quickly reach them.
7Los Santos Naval Port
Few helicopters are harder to get your hands on than the one at the Los Santos Naval port, run by Merryweather security who don’t want random criminals walking around. And they aren’t the only threat, as the police also get involved when you enter the area.
In fact, you get a four-star wanted level just by taking a step in the restricted zone.
So, getting this chopper means putting up with plenty of adversaries, including attack helicopters. It’s not really worth it unless you are desperate for a chopper and none of the others on the map have spawned.
6Vespucci Police Station
The Vespucci area is one of the best in Los Santos and is amongthe reasons the city is so beloved. However, most of the fun you have in the area is likely to be ruined by the Vespucci Police Force. Yet, these cops do have their uses. For example, a helicopter regularly spawns on top of their station.
Getting up there isn’t easy, though. You need to climb up various ladders that you can only reach by walking up the stairs in the car park. It’s a hassle, and the helicopter isn’t even always there.
Because of this, if you’re looking for where to find a helicopter in GTAfast, this may not be the spot to check.
5Vespucci Helipad
The Vespucci Helipad is one you’re able to buy and own, but if you want to save money, you can typically find a helicopter already there. It’s controlled by an NPC, who can often be seen landing or taking off from the spot. You can “relieve them of their vehicle,” so to speak, and fly away.
Unfortunately, it won’t always be there for you to take. But if you’re close by and in the market for a chopper, it’s worth having a look since you don’t need to climb anything to reach it - you’re able to just walk up to the helipad.
If you do want to own it though, we’ve got someother articlesthat can help you out.
4NOOSE Government Facility
You interact with several government agents throughout the main story. They always cause you trouble, so you deserve some compensation, which you can get in the form of a helicopter.
Admittedly, the chopper doesn’t come from the FIB building where most of the antagonists work. Instead, it can be found at the NOOSE facility, which is outside of Los Santos to the east. Once you get there, you can easily climb up the southernmost building using ladders. On top of it, you can usually find a helicopter.
3Parachute Jumps
TheDom Beasley strangers and freaks missionstask you with doing all sorts of wild stunts. And once you finish the one called Risk Assessment, you get more opportunities to do life-threatening activities in the form of parachute jumps.
These jumps vary quite a bit. Some of them have you take a helicopter up in there to get in the correct position. Before they take you up, though, you can just steal the chopper.
This will bring a halt to the jump, but you get a nice vehicle in return.
2Fort Zancudo
The most dangerous place to get a helicopter is Fort Zancudo - you get a four-star wanted level just by entering. And once inside, you’re not dealing with police - this is a military base, after all, meaning soldiers with easy access to tanks are trying to kill you.
Therefore, it’s hard to survive in the base for more than a few minutes.
The plus side is there are several helipads next to the runway that regularly have choppers parked on them. Unfortunately, getting a helicopter out of there and away from danger without being blown up is very difficult unless youuse some cheats.
1Owned Helipads
Stealing isn’t the only way to get helicopters in Grand Theft Auto 5. You can also get helicopters legitimately by buying them through the in-game internet or acquiring them during missions. Once you do, you can spawn vehicles from any helipad you own. Trevor acquires the one in Sandy Shores early in the game, while Michael or Franklin can purchase the one in Vespucci.
Not only do these helipads contain the vehicles you buy, but you also can keep any of the others you acquire there. So, for instance, if you steal a chopper, you can bring it back to a helipad to keep it.
Grand Theft Auto 5
WHERE TO PLAY
One of the biggest-selling games in history, Grand Theft Auto 5 takes you to open-world San Andreas. Assume the role of three characters, Trevor, Franklin, and Michael, as they take different paths in their criminal lives. The streets of Los Santos await in GTA 5.
