“Ah, the high-altitude option. You fly in above the radar, parachute in undetected. Such drops need specialist pilot, but I happen to know such a man.”
— Pavel's briefing on the planning screen.
Alkonost is a prep mission featured in Grand Theft Auto Online as part of The Cayo Perico Heist update, and is a freeroam mission that can be completed at any time while The Cayo Perico Heist strand is active. It is one of six missions within the Approach Vehicle category that is mandatory for completion, but becomes optional if another of the missions has been completed.
Mission Details: Steal an RO-86 Alkonost to use as an approach vehicle when infiltrating the island.
Heist Impact: Parachute from the RO-86 Alkonost's cargo hold as your pilot flies you at high altitude over the island while staying undetected.
Pavel tells to the player that in order to approach the island for a HALO jump, they must secure a specially adapted plane used by the military. He swiftly points out that stealing one from them would be too risky, but has discover that Merryweather Security is currently overseeing arrangements for purchase of an Alkonost at Fort Zancudo.
Completing this mission will acquire an Alkonost plane for approaching Cayo Perico in finale, but it cannot be used until the player completes an additional mission to secure a pilot.
“So, kapitan, you want to steal an aircraft capable of high-altitude troop infiltration over Caribbean island loaded with anti-aircraft defenses? The good news is, it can be done. The bad news: the kind of people who have this aircraft are serious about security. So serious, they keep it at military fort. I suggest you tread softly...”
— One of Pavel's briefings.
The player is instructed to go to Fort Zancudo, where they must access the hangar in which the plane is stored.
Pavel has secured you a temporary clearance level to enter Fort Zancudo freely. However, the base will go on full alert after the Alkonost is stolen.
Pavel also informs that they have gained a temporary clearance level to visit the base without problems (in case they do not own a hangar there).
Search the exterior of the hangar for a way to temporarily cut the power inside. Night vision goggles are recommended to navigate the hangar in darkness.
The hangar will stay in darkness until the backup generator reaches full power.
When approaching the hangar, Pavel suggests the option of finding a circuit box near the entry point to the hangar, which will reduce the vision range of the mercenaries for a while; however, they must bring along night vision or thermal goggles to see clearly and a meter bar will be shown on the lower right corner, indicating the backup generator power – it will be gradually filled and when complete, the lights inside the hangar will turn on again.
Find and access the laptop to unlock the main doors to the hangar.
Regardless of whether they cut the power, the mercenaries inside will not be aware of their presence until they either hear gunfire or witness one of their members being killed, at which point they will become hostile. Regardless of the approach, players must search the hangar for a laptop, using it to unlock the hangar doors, and then board the plane.
After spawning on the runway, the base will be on full alert and the player(s) will earn a 4-star wanted level. They must leave the base, lose the cops, and then fly the plane to Miguel Madrazo's private hangar at LSIA to complete the mission.
So, kapitan, you want to steal an aircraft capable of high-altitude troop infiltration over Caribbean island loaded with anti-aircraft defenses? The good news is, it can be done. The bad news: the kind of people who have this aircraft are serious about security. So serious, they keep it at military fort. I suggest you thread softly...
Alternative:
When was the last time you went to Fort Zancudo, kapitan? I was there not so long ago... although this is a complicated story. Anyway, now we go back on a little shopping trip. Private military company are organizing purchase of just the kind of aircraft we need for high altitude-drop over Mr. Rubio's island. You go there, find it, and redirect it.
Alternative #2:
The kind of aircraft we need for an operation such as this, kapitan... it is something a little special, yes? Specially modified for clandestine troop infiltration from high altitudes. We must go to military. But not of course the real military... this will attract too much attention. No, we steal it from the mercenaries in black shirts dressing up as military. They are organizing transfer of the aircraft out of Fort Zancudo... a challenge, but our only opportunity.
If the player approaches Fort Zancudo from the gate.
Pavel:
Don't worry about the guards on the gate sounding the alarm. They have been persuaded to have a lapse of concentration when you come in. Although they will start concentrating again when you steal the trillion-dollar aircraft, I think.
The player nears the target hangar.
Pavel:
If you find a circuit breaker, kapitan, you could kill the lights in the hangar. Not essential, but when it comes to fighting literal army you take what you can get, yes?
Alternative:
Perhaps trespassing on military base is a good time to practice clandestine maneuvers, kapitan? If you find a circuit breaker you could cut the power... and the lights.
Alternative #2:
Element of surprise is useful in case such as this. You could try cutting the power... maybe the lights stay down for a while. There must be circuit breaker nearby.
The player optionally finds the generator and cuts the power.
Pavel:
You cut the power, yes? Good work... now, get in there and do what you need to do before the backup generator brings the lights back on!
Alternative:
Lights out, yes? Well done. It won't be long before the backup generator kicks in. Make the most of it!
Alternative #2:
You found the light switch, yes? Good... there will be backup generators, so it will not be dark in there for long.
The player enters the hangar.
Pavel:
By my reading, you are inside. Good, now you have to unlock main doors. Check for control terminal somewhere.
Alternative:
Are you in? Search for control terminal... you will need to open the doors if you want to leave with the plane.
Alternative #2:
Are you inside? You will never get the plane out without opening the doors. Search for control terminal.
The player unlocks the main door by hacking a laptop they have found inside the hangar.
Pavel:
Time for emergency take off, I think! Don't look back!
The player enters the Alkonost and exits the hangar.
Pavel:
Good work, kapitan! Now, give the police the slip, and then head over to the airport. We will store this at Madrazo hangar.
Alternative:
So far, so good. Now, you must get the police off your back, and then head to the airport... we will store this in Madrazo hangar.
Alternative #2:
Okay, almost there, kapitan! Get rid of the police, and then take the plane to Mini Madrazo's hangar at LSIA. His men will look after it for us.
The player delivers the Alkonost to the hangar.
Gallery[]
Video Walkthrough[]
GTA Online- The Cayo Perico Heist Prep - Alkonost & Pilot -Solo-
Heist Prep: Alkonost starts at 0:00 and ends at 5:29
