On Parade GTA 5 How to Start Mission Requirements and Walkthrough
The San Andreas Mercenaries update brought an exciting wave of military-grade action to the open skies of Grand Theft Auto Online. Among the standout additions is the intense Project Overthrow campaign, which tasks players with taking down Merryweather Security forces. The third mission in this thrilling storyline, titled On Parade, offers an exhilarating mix of aerial stunts and explosive vehicular combat.
How to Unlock and Start the Mission
Before you can take to the skies, you must meet a few specific logistics requirements within your criminal empire. Players need to own a Mammoth Avenger aircraft and purchase the Operations Terminal upgrade from the hangar workshop. Once these assets are secured, you can register as a Boss, CEO, or Motorcycle Club President to access the terminal inside the plane.
Interacting with the terminal allows you to launch the Project Overthrow story arc directly. You must complete the first two narrative missions before On Parade becomes available on your screen. After selecting the mission from your terminal, a brief cinematic introduction will prepare you for the upcoming challenge.
Core Objectives and Pilot Testing
The mission begins at a secluded airfield where you are introduced to a heavily modified version of the Avenger. Your initial objective is to pilot the aircraft through a series of tight canyons to test its newly installed stealth capabilities. Keeping the plane low to the ground is essential to avoid detection from local military radar systems.
As you navigate the rocky terrain, the mission requires you to perform various aerial maneuvers to test the vehicle's responsiveness. You will toggle between horizontal flight mode and vertical takeoff positioning to simulate real combat scenarios. Successfully completing these stunts builds your familiarity with the massive aircraft before the shooting starts.
Target Practice and Weapon Calibration
Once you clear the canyons, the narrative shifts toward testing the offensive capabilities of your military vehicle. The game triggers a target practice segment where you must destroy stationary and moving dummies scattered across the desert. Using the onboard machine guns and missile systems efficiently will ensure you pass this phase quickly.
This segment serves as an excellent warm-up for both solo players and cooperative crews working together. Mastering the weapon switching mechanics here prepares you for the sudden escalation that follows shortly after. Once all training targets are demolished, a surprise ambush turns the exercise into a live combat zone.
Surviving the Merryweather Combat Counterattack
The final phase of the mission forces players into a fierce dogfight against waves of hostile Merryweather helicopters and fighter jets. You must utilize the defensive countermeasures of the Avenger to deflect incoming tracking missiles while maintaining your offensive pressure. Maneuvering efficiently between the canyon walls can provide vital cover during the most intense moments of the battle.
After thinining out the enemy vanguard, you will face a heavily armored enemy boss chopper that requires concentrated firepower to destroy. Once the skies are clear, you must pilot the damaged Avenger safely back to the designated landing zone to conclude the operation. Completing this mission successfully unlocks the next stage of the mercenaries storyline along with significant cash rewards.