Barnstorming is an aerial version of stunt jumps. Instead of hurling yourself over ramps and across gaps, these death-defying tricks take place in the open skies. However, as spacious as it appears over Steelport, there are many skyscrapers, smokestacks, and other pilot’s nightmares to test your flying skill.
The objective is simply to fly around or through specific parts of the city’s skyway—but that sounds a lot easier than it is. Several of the sky-high stunts are very difficult to navigate and require you to make it through very narrow holes. This is where the Specter, an optional reward in Mission 39, comes in very handy.
Like the stunt jumps, these barnstorming tricks can be repeated to earn rewards. In fact, there are several long runs by the airport, and a few that can be done back-to-back, that make this the best way to earn cash fast. For an added 2x multiplier, try flying on your side!
Barnstorming is a quick way to make money and earn respect. After unlocking a barnstorm location, you can earn money and respect by flying through that Barnstorm as many times as you like.
Flying sideways through a barnstorm rewards you with even more money and respect.
If you are having trouble unlocking a barnstorm location, try flying through the location at a higher or lower altitude.
Even if you receive a barnstorming indicator, it doesn’t mean you have found a barnstorm location. Wait to see if a banner appears at the top of the screen after completing a barnstorm before considering a barnstorm location found.
Recommended Vehicles: Specter (Unlocked after Mission 39), Thompson (Located at the airport after Mission 03)
Barnstorming tips and tactics provided by: Morgan Henry, Tester
Barnstorm Location 1
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the two tallest smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 2
Description: Heading southwest or northeast, fly between the two tallest smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 3
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the two tall smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 4
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 5
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 6
Description: Heading northeast or southwest, fly between the pair of wider smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 7
Description: Heading north or south, fly underneath the highway underpass and two hallways that connect the buildings in a single barnstorm.
Barnstorm Location 8
Description: Heading north or south, fly underneath the highway.
Barnstorm Location 9
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 10
Description: Heading east or west, fly through the wide group of smokestacks.
Other Tips:
This can easily be done while chasing the helicopter at the end of Mission 5.
Make sure not to miss any of the smokestacks on the ends of this barnstorm location.
Barnstorm Location 11
Description: Heading northeast or southwest, fly between the two walkways connecting the two smokestacks on either side of the highway.
Barnstorm Location 12
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the group of connected smokestacks and the smokestack and building opposite them.
Other Tips: Be sure to fly low.
Barnstorm Location 13
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the two walkways connecting the two smokestacks on either side of the highway.
Barnstorm Location 14
Description: Heading southwest, fly through the second opening (southernmost) in the bridge support.
Other Tips: Flying sideways through either of the bridge supports will not unlock this barnstorm location.
Barnstorm Location 15
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the highway supports under the highway.
Other Tips: Fly through the larger gap in highway supports closest to the tiny island.
Barnstorm Location 16
Description: Heading northeast or southwest, fly between the middle highways supports under the highway.
Barnstorm Location 17
Description: Heading northwest or southeast, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 18
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the two tall smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 19
Description: Heading southeast or northwest, fly between the two offset smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 20
Description: Heading southwest or northeast, fly between the two tallest of the three smokestacks on the building.
Barnstorm Location 21
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the two red smokestacks on the building.
Barnstorm Location 22
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the middle, red smokestack and the brown smokestack (west of it) on the building.
Barnstorm Location 23
Description: Heading east or west, fly under the highway crossing the canal.
Barnstorm Location 24
Description: Heading north or south, fly under the highway and over the road below.
Barnstorm Location 25
Description: Heading north or south, fly under the highway that crosses the canal.
Other Tips: Go through the highway support gap that has the exit sign above it on the highway.
Barnstorm Location 26
Description: Heading southeast or northwest, fly between the smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 27
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the two thin, tall smokestacks on top of the building.
Barnstorm Location 28
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the two smokestacks on top of the Joe Cola Factory.
Barnstorm Location 29
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 30
Description: Heading northwest or southeast, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 31
Description: Heading northeast or southwest, fly between the two smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 32
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the two tallest smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 33
Description: Heading east or west, fly through the middle of the gun signs (two signs on either side) on top of Powder.
Barnstorm Location 34
Description: Heading north or south, fly under the highway.
Barnstorm Location 35
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 36
Description: Heading east or west, fly through the top gap in the highway support.
Barnstorm Location 37
Description: Heading east or west, fly through the middle gap in the highway support.
Barnstorm Location 38
Description: Heading east or west, fly through the bottom gap in the highway support.
Barnstorm Location 39
Description: Heading north or south, fly under the highway.
Barnstorm Location 40
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 41
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the four smokestacks (ignore the fifth).
Barnstorm Location 42
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the airport guides.
Other Tips: If you take a plane from the hangar (after purchase) and fly it due west, it will pass through these guides.
Barnstorm Location 43
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the airport guides.
Barnstorm Location 44
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the airport guides.
Barnstorm Location 45
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the airport guides.
Barnstorm Location 46
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the two pairs of smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 47
Description: Heading north or south, fly between the church steeples.
Barnstorm Location 48
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the two smokestacks.
Barnstorm Location 49
Description: Heading east or west, fly under the ladle handle on the statue.
Barnstorm Location 50
Description: Heading east or west, fly between the statue’s legs .