Knife Flights

Last Edited by TreeFitty April 08, 2014 : 13 Comments : 302,276 Views

If you took advantage of Flight School at Los Santos International Airport, you'll probably remember a move called a "knife". For those that forgot or don't know, a knife is when you are piloting an airplane and roll to one side so that the aircraft is sideways with the wings vertical. Control is kept by using the rudder or yaw (normal side-to-side) to maintain altitude and adjusting pitch (normal up/down) to keep the airplane moving straight.

There are 15 locations around Los Santos which task you with doing a knife flight between buildings (Note: only 8 are needed for 100% but all 15 are needed for the trophy/achievement). Not every opening you see is one of these and a couple you would probably never notice. Below is a general map of the locations:

Knife Flights Map

Now here's a closer look at each using a satellite image of the city. For most of these you can approach from either end but a few are better when approached from a certain side due to nearby obstacles. Click the screenshot for a larger size.

1. Pacific Bluffs

Sneak between the two hotel towers. Look out for the trees along the west.

2-3. Del Perro

A difficult and tight two-fer. Roll so you're cockpit is to the northeast which makes for an easier turn through.

4. Rockford Hills

This one sucks. You need to dip down low and get through the alley. Watch out for the movie studio to the south and hotel to the north. Both are tall.

5. Rockford Hills

Much easier than the previous. Fly between the two towers.


6. Little Seoul

A tight squeeze between the two twin buildings. Be careful of the other buildings to the south.

7-10. Pillbox Hill

Two easy sets between the four buildings. You should be able to get two each direction in one go.

11. Pillbox Hill

Simply pass between the FIB and IAA headquarter buildings.



12. Downtown Vinewood

Not much headroom here. Zip through the upper floors of these buildings just above a shorter rooftop on the south corner.

13. Downtown Vinewood

Squeeze between these two buildings. Watch out for the theater to the north.
14-15. West Vinewood

Two easy ones next to each other.

Tips:

  • The Mallard (stunt plane) is the optimal choice for knife flights. It is steady and agile without being too fast or sensitive (like the P-996 Lazer).
  • It is a very good idea to use a character with maximum flying skills (such as Trevor).
  • You may wish to have Franklin or Michael purchase a hanger at LSX and store a Mallard there. This way you can easily get back to task after a crash since Trevor's airfield is a little further away. If you don't mind loading times or want to have a "perfect" save file without deaths you can also quick save before each attempt.
  • Line up your flight path a good distance away from the target and don't roll your airplane until needed.
  • Try to be level or pointed slightly upward when you perform the knife. This way your airplane will not head towards the ground (or lower obstacles) and crash. The rudder of the aircraft can only hold you steady and will not give you much lift during the knife.
  • Your airplane does not need to be in a perfect knife to make the objective but you need to be reasonably close.
  • Your flight path doesn't need to be straight through the buildings. Just get through.
  • Note: Even if you crash after going through the buildings, listen for the objective complete sound or check your stats (Pause menu > Stats > Vehicle) after respawn. Again, as long as you get through the buildings you should be good.

Comments (13)

  • BigBlue10 (Guest) April 09, 2017
    Thanks for the help. Def have to agree that this is exactly what I was looking for & that this is pretty close to perfect. A little tip, if you go to flight school once u get to the knife flight tutorial u can fly through the 1st check point and then be on ur way to trying to get the knife flights done. This way if you crash; (BC U WILL CRASH) all you need to do is hit retry (X). Hope that helps. Thanks again.
  • Takaklas (Guest) February 02, 2017
    Number 4 is so lame hate you Rockstar
  • filomat (Guest) December 18, 2016
    what a wonderful guide! thx.
  • TheBoss_Noob (Guest) October 02, 2016
    Thanks a lot, this guide is pretty much perfect
  • Clay J (Guest) August 14, 2016
    Its Just what I was looking for
  • Brock (Guest) July 10, 2016
    I can never get number 12 to work no matter how well I do it
  • Itsdiddy (Guest) June 15, 2016
    Thanks this was the best site I found for figuring out how the f to do these. Have four left and after dying on 6 like 20 straight times and try it from the north.
  • michael1985 (Guest) September 23, 2015
    Thank you.very helpful
  • TreeFitty (Guest) August 16, 2015
    5 is easy. 4 and 6 (if that's what you meant) can be a pain. For #4 best bet is to skim along the top of the movie studio and try to drop down a little. For #6 try coming in from the north side over the highway.
  • Yaseen danger (Guest) August 16, 2015
    Thank you the guide is usefull . But although i'm a good pilot i'm strugling to get 4 & 5 done
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