Here is a comprehensive guide on how you can properly fly a plane in GTA 5 and avoid crashing it to the ground.

Learning how to fly a plane in GTA 5 is arguably one of the hardest mechanics to master. It requires you to remember a lot of keys and keep track of spatial awareness. From taking off to landing a plane, you need to be very careful, as it’s not as simple as pulling the brakes to stop this vehicle.
As much as some people want to avoid flying a plane, there are specific missions that require you to control one. In Story Mode, there are missions like Minor Turbulence, while in GTA Online, there is the Oscar Guzman Flies Again, which forces you to fly a plane.
To help you out, here is a guide on how you can fly a plane in GTA 5 and the controls you need to keep in mind for both PC and console versions.
How to Fly a Plane in GTA 5
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly fly a plane in GTA 5 from taking off to landing safely:
Take Off

Once you enter a flying vehicle, you should turn on its engine first by holding the W key on the keyboard and R2 or RT on PlayStation and Xbox controllers, respectively. However, this only makes the plane move forward.
To make the plane take off, press the Num5 button or tilt the left joystick on a controller downwards. The plane’s nose should lift up, and the vehicle takes off into the air.
Additionally, if your plane allows it, you need to press the G key or the left stick on the controllers to retract the landing gear. This is important as hiding the wheels will improve the speed, handling, and stability of the vehicle.
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Controlling the Plane During Flight

After you successfully take off, you need to control your plane so it doesn’t crash into nearby tall structures or terrain. The usual keyboard controls are the W and S keys to lift or lower the nose of the plane, respectively. On an Xbox controller, this corresponds to the Y button to lift the nose and the A button to lower it. On a PlayStation controller, the Triangle button lifts the nose, while the X button lowers it.
Meanwhile, the A and D keys allow you to rotate left or right, respectively. On an Xbox controller, this corresponds to the X button to rotate left and the B button to rotate right.
Sometimes, you need to make a quick turn by tilting the plane sideways. You can do this by pressing the Num 4 key to roll left and the Num 6 key to roll right. On controllers, you simply rotate the left stick left or right. However, be extra careful as you can crash your vehicle if you tilt it too much. Make sure you are high enough in the air before trying to roll.
You can raise or lower the altitude of the plane by pressing Num 5 or Num 8, respectively. For controllers, you tilt the left stick up or down. This is useful if you want to go higher and avoid enemy planes or structures. You also need to lower your plane if you want to land properly.
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Landing the Plane

To land a plane in GTA 5, you need to find a straight and spacious road to land. Avoid landing on roads where there is heavy traffic, as bumping into anything might make the aerial vehicle explode. aircraft are known to be very fragile vehicles in the game. This is why you can’t afford to hit anything while landing.
When you spot an area that you can land on, do not forget to lower your landing gears. Gradually descend your attitude by pressing the Num 8 key or moving the left stick of your controller upwards. When you are on the ground, you can rapidly reduce your speed by holding down the S and Num 8 key till the plane comes to a halt. On an Xbox controller, this is done by holding the A button while moving the left stick forward. On a PlayStation controller, hold the X button while moving the left stick forward.
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