On Parade is GTA Online's aerial exam disguised as a flight test. You start with a quiet Raiju run through Raton Canyon, score points with aerobatics, shoot timed targets, and then get thrown into a multi-wave air battle. Before launching, having enough cash for aircraft access and resupplies can save a frustrating detour, so some players check buy GTA 5 Money options first. The mission is part three of Project Overthrow, starts from the Operations Terminal in the Avenger, and supports one to four players.
What You're Really Being Tested On
On Parade works because every phase asks for a different kind of pilot. The canyon rewards restraint, the maneuver course demands clean inputs, and Sandy Shores turns aiming into a short scoring race. The return trip is where many attempts collapse: players keep attacking after taking damage instead of creating distance and choosing a safer angle. At least in my experience, the mission becomes much easier once you stop treating every objective like a standard GTA 5 destruction job.
The Raiju Prep That Saves a Restart
Do a short free-flight warm-up before starting, especially if vertical flight still feels awkward. Practice climbing, rolling, leveling out, and switching between normal and vertical movement without staring at the controls. You don't need flashy stunts; you need repeatable ones. Keep this quick checklist in mind.
Activate stealth before entering the protected canyon area.
Gain altitude before attempting loops or inverted flight.
Use several different maneuvers instead of repeating one easy roll.
Approach targets in long, stable firing passes.
Leave room to recover before returning to Fort Zancudo.
Score Smart at Sandy Shores
The maneuver section requires 15 points, and repeated actions become less rewarding. A clean roll, loop, knife flight, and inverted hold are safer than frantic combinations that confuse the scoring. For the target exercise, gold targets give 10 points, red give 5, blue give 3, and white give 1 during the three-minute limit. Pick high-value targets that sit on a stable attack line rather than turning hard for every nearby marker. The table below gives the practical priority.
| Target | Points | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 10 | First priority when lined up |
| Red | 5 | Reliable backup target |
| Blue | 3 | Useful during a return pass |
| White | 1 | Only when already in position |
Don't Let the Air Battle Set the Pace
The combat phase arrives in waves, with attack helicopters, fighter jets, and hostile Avengers entering the fight. Smaller, faster threats often deserve attention before the biggest aircraft because they stay on your tail and disrupt every attack run. Extend away, regain speed, then turn back toward an isolated target. Vertical flight helps with fine positioning, but hovering in a crowded sky is asking for concentrated fire. Keep moving, use broad turns, and treat the Raiju's health as a resource for the entire trip-not just the current wave. Current update notes also state that the excessively strong hostile Avenger issue was corrected, though the aircraft can still punish a careless approach.
Solo or Squad?
Solo play gives you complete control over the test sections and makes every mistake your own. A small group is more forgiving during the finale, since pilots can split enemy attention and shorten each wave, but messy formation flying creates its own problems. Agree on targets before the shooting starts, avoid crossing another pilot's firing path, and don't all chase the same jet. Players who want to fund an Avenger setup may also compare GTA 5 buy Money choices before grinding the required cash, but better positioning matters far more than a richer loadout here. On Parade rewards calm inputs, target priority, and a safe landing more than raw spending.
