In recent years, aircraft in GTA Online have become increasingly ineffective in combat, especially with the rise of powerful weapons like the Railgun. The addition of these high-powered tools has shifted the balance of power, making it easier to take down planes than to score kills while piloting them.

The Oppressor Mark II Problem
One of the main challenges for aircraft is the widespread use of the Oppressor Mark II. Once an opponent spawns this bike, it often leads to a frustrating stalemate for pilots. The aircraft must constantly dodge the Mark II's rockets while trying to retaliate with explosive machine guns or dogfighter plane MGs. Unfortunately, these weapons have an incredibly slow fire rate, making it difficult to land significant damage quickly.

Even with perfect aim, the slow firing rhythm of aircraft guns makes it hard to match the fast movements of the Oppressor Mark II. This leads to missed shots and frustrating combat that feels unbalanced.

The Issue with Aircraft Guns
The dogfighter MGs on many of the Smuggler’s Run planes deal decent damage—around 250 per shot—but with a fire rate of only 400 rounds per minute (RPM). Additionally, these guns alternate fire between the left and right sides of the aircraft, meaning only half of the shots are directed at the target at any given time. This lowers the overall damage output and complicates aiming, as players can only land hits with every other shot.

When calculating damage per second (DPS), the current stats offer a modest 1,666.6. While this is adequate, it makes dogfights feel drawn-out and lacks the excitement that many players seek.

Proposed Gun Rebalancing: Restoring Aircraft Power
A proposed solution to the aircraft weapon imbalance involves reducing damage per shot from 250 to 85 but increasing the firing rate to 500 RPM. More importantly, the alternating fire feature would be removed, allowing both gun sets to fire simultaneously. This change would raise the DPS to 2,125, effectively improving the overall damage output without making planes overpowered.

The higher fire rate and simultaneous firing would also improve hit accuracy, making it easier to engage both ground targets and fast-moving opponents like the Oppressor Mark II. This rebalancing would result in more exciting and dynamic aerial combat.

Improvements to Explosive Cannons on Jets
Jets like the Lazer and Hydra rely on explosive machine guns and cannons for high damage, but their slow firing rate (300 RPM) and alternating fire issues limit their effectiveness. While the large blast radius was originally a concern, it was nerfed to the point where it feels excessive.

A more balanced approach could involve removing the blast radius entirely and requiring direct hits for maximum effectiveness. Restoring the original 1,500 RPM fire rate without alternating fire would increase the skill requirement for dive bombing while still making these weapons effective against both vehicles and aircraft.

Unique Changes for Specific Planes
Some planes, like the Raiju and Molotok, require more specialized adjustments. The Raiju’s explosive cannons can instantly disable enemy planes by knocking out their control surfaces with a single shot, leading to frustration. A potential fix could involve removing the Raiju's cannon and replacing it with buffed dogfighter MGs and rapid missiles to maintain its utility in PvE content.

The Molotok, on the other hand, struggles with poor handling and shares weapons with the Pyro, making it less appealing in comparison. Adding a homing missile barrage with high lethality but poor handling would make it more viable as an air-to-ground attack plane, offering players more options for combat. If you want to maximize your damage output, safe GTA Online accounts can give you instant access to a variety of powerful planes and weapons.

Conclusion: Reviving Aircraft Combat in GTA Online
Aircraft in GTA Online are currently underpowered, especially when facing threats like the Oppressor Mark II. This imbalance discourages players from engaging in aerial combat and reduces the excitement that comes with flying. By rebalancing aircraft weapons—improving fire rates, removing alternating fire, and restoring the skillful use of explosive weapons—planes could once again dominate the skies.

These proposed changes would not only enhance the thrill of aerial combat but also restore balance, giving players the confidence to take flight without the fear of constant frustration. The skies in GTA Online could once again be filled with the excitement of high-stakes dogfights and exhilarating air battles.