Is a Hangar Worth It in GTA 5? A Deep Dive
Absolutely, buying a hangar in GTA 5 is worth it, particularly in GTA Online. While it requires a significant initial investment, the ability to store personal aircraft, access the smuggling business through the Free Trade Shipping Co. app, customize aircraft, and gain access to Fort Zancudo (depending on the location you choose) makes it a valuable asset. Whether it’s right for you depends on your playstyle and priorities. If you enjoy flying, customizing planes, and participating in the Air Freight business, a hangar is an excellent investment. However, if you’re primarily focused on ground-based activities, other businesses like the bunker or nightclub might be more beneficial initially.
What Makes a Hangar a Good Investment?
The value of a hangar extends beyond simply storing your aircraft. Let’s explore the key benefits in detail:
1. Aircraft Storage and Customization
This is the most straightforward benefit. Without a hangar, owning and using aircraft becomes significantly more cumbersome.
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Personal Aircraft Storage: Hangars allow you to store up to 20 personal aircraft. This is crucial for players who enjoy collecting and using various planes and helicopters. Without a hangar, retrieving aircraft is a pain.
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Aircraft Workshop: Arguably the most valuable upgrade. The workshop enables you to customize your aircraft with performance upgrades, liveries, weapons, and countermeasures. This adds a whole new dimension to aerial combat and transport.
2. The Air Freight Business
The Air Freight business, accessible through the Free Trade Shipping Co. app on the hangar’s computer, allows you to source and sell cargo for profit. This is the primary money-making aspect of owning a hangar.
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Sourcing Missions: You’ll undertake missions to steal various types of cargo – ranging from narcotics to valuable goods. These missions vary in difficulty and can be completed solo or with a team.
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Selling Cargo: Once you’ve accumulated cargo, you can sell it in bulk for a substantial profit. The amount of money you earn depends on the type and quantity of cargo, and the number of players in your session. Higher demand, influenced by the number of players, increases the sale price.
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Solo Sales: You can sell cargo solo, but be prepared for the possibility of multiple delivery vehicles. This can be challenging, requiring skilled piloting and the ability to evade enemies.
3. Fort Zancudo Access (Specific Hangars)
Choosing a hangar within Fort Zancudo offers a significant advantage:
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Free Access to the Base: You can enter Fort Zancudo without gaining a wanted level, allowing you to freely explore the base and access its resources.
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Easy Access to the Lazer Fighter Jet: While not guaranteed, you can often steal a Lazer fighter jet from the base with relative ease, giving you access to a powerful and versatile aircraft.
4. No Raids
Unlike some other businesses like MC businesses, hangars cannot be raided. This offers peace of mind, as you don’t have to worry about losing your stock due to a raid.
Which Hangar Should You Buy?
While the article mentions that “It doesn’t make any difference which Hangar you buy”, this is a simplification. The location does matter, mainly for access to Fort Zancudo.
Fort Zancudo vs. Los Santos International Airport (LSIA)
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Fort Zancudo: Provides the aforementioned free access to the base and the opportunity to steal a Lazer. Hangar 3497 is often recommended as the best option due to its location near the entrance and relatively lower price.
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LSIA: These hangars are generally cheaper, but lack the benefit of Fort Zancudo access.
Ultimately, the best hangar for you depends on your priorities. If you value access to Fort Zancudo, choose a hangar there. If you’re on a budget and don’t care about the base access, an LSIA hangar is a viable option.
Is the Hangar Worth It Compared to Other Businesses?
The hangar is a good business, but it’s not the most profitable. Other businesses, like the Cocaine Lockup or the Bunker, can generate more consistent passive income.
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Hangar vs. Bunker: The bunker offers passive income generation, allowing you to earn money while focusing on other activities. It also provides access to weapon and vehicle upgrades. Many players recommend purchasing a bunker before a hangar.
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Hangar vs. Nightclub: The Nightclub, with its technicians, is another excellent source of passive income. By linking it to other businesses, you can accumulate a significant amount of cargo to sell.
Tips for Maximizing Hangar Profitability
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Focus on High-Value Cargo: Some cargo types, like narcotics and chemicals, fetch higher prices than others. Prioritize sourcing these types of cargo to maximize your profits.
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Play in Sessions with More Players: The more players in a session, the higher the demand for your cargo, resulting in a higher sale price.
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Invest in the Workshop: The workshop is essential for customizing your aircraft and improving their performance.
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Practice Your Piloting Skills: Successful Air Freight missions often require skilled piloting, especially when evading enemies or delivering cargo in challenging environments.
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Find a Reliable Team: Teaming up with friends or other players can make sourcing and selling cargo easier and more efficient. You may be interested in learning more about Games Learning Society and its research into games.
FAQs About Hangars in GTA 5
1. How much does a hangar cost in GTA 5 Online?
Hangars range in price from around $1,200,000 to over $3,000,000, depending on the location (LSIA or Fort Zancudo) and any optional upgrades.
2. Can I buy multiple hangars in GTA 5?
No, you can only own one hangar at a time in GTA Online.
3. What upgrades should I buy for my hangar?
The workshop is the most important upgrade, followed by living quarters if you plan on spending a lot of time at your hangar. Other cosmetic upgrades are optional.
4. How do I start the Air Freight business?
Once you own a hangar, access the Free Trade Shipping Co. app on the computer inside to start sourcing and selling cargo.
5. What are the different types of cargo I can source?
You can source various types of cargo, including narcotics, chemicals, medical supplies, art & antiques, jewelry & gemstones, animal materials, counterfeit goods, and tobacco & alcohol.
6. How much money can I make from the Air Freight business?
A full batch of hangar cargo can sell for anywhere from $1,200,000 to $5,670,000, depending on the type and quantity of cargo and the number of players in your session.
7. Can I sell hangar cargo solo?
Yes, you can sell cargo solo, but be prepared for the possibility of multiple delivery vehicles.
8. How do I get a Lazer fighter jet from Fort Zancudo?
Buying a hangar in Fort Zancudo allows you to enter the base without a wanted level. You can then attempt to steal a Lazer from the runway or hangar. However, be prepared for resistance from military personnel.
9. Can my hangar get raided?
No, hangars cannot be raided in GTA Online. Only certain other businesses like MC Businesses and special cargo warehouses are subject to raids.
10. Does it matter which hangar I buy?
Yes, the location matters. A hangar in Fort Zancudo provides free access to the base and the opportunity to steal a Lazer.
11. Is the bunker or hangar better for making money?
The bunker is generally considered better for passive income, while the hangar requires more active participation. The Nightclub is even better for passive income.
12. How many planes can I store in my hangar?
You can store up to 20 personal aircraft in your hangar.
13. Can I sell planes from my hangar?
Yes, you can sell planes from your hangar workshop for half of their original value.
14. What happens when I buy a hangar in Fort Zancudo?
You gain free access to the base and the ability to store and customize aircraft. You can also manage the Air-Freight Business to source and sell cargo.
15. What is the most profitable cargo to source in the hangar?
Generally, Counterfeit Goods, Jewelry & Gemstones, and Tobacco & Alcohol are the most profitable. Check the Free Trade Shipping Co. app for current prices and demand.
In conclusion, while not the absolute best money-maker in GTA Online, owning a hangar is a worthwhile investment for players who enjoy flying, customizing aircraft, and participating in the Air Freight business, especially if you opt for a Fort Zancudo location. Happy flying!