Barnstorming: Saints Row 2 flying 101

#11 btw. No reason.

An exercise in crashing, exploding and going down in flames.

The picture on the left is obviously not my plane as its wings are still intact.

Saints Row 2 includes a Barnstorming Diversion. Barnstorming involves flying your plane through a somewhat challenging path. There are 35 different stunt locations. Flying through each one gains you a successful "Barnstorm," completing all 35 barnstorms gains you an achievement.

It's only 10g but it is a fun 10g. You have to go to the airport and get a plane out of your hanger and then fly it halfway across the map to a stunt location. You can find the location of the stunts by doing a quick Google search but I recommend these guys. Click on the barnstorming location icon and it will give you a written description of what is involved. Sometimes it is flying under a bridge, sometimes along the top of the bridge, sometimes between buildings and sometimes through a tunnel under a mountain. Knowing how much Stormblade enjoys flying he should at least try this Diversion.

Quick tips:

• I recommend the biplane – it is easy to control at all speeds
• Saints Row 2 pops up a "# of 35 completed" message across the screen when you successfully completed a Barnstorm. No message, no Barnstorm (even if you think it should have qualified)
• Saints Row 2 displays a small white text of "Barnstorming" on the right as you fly through the barnstorming area – just so you know you are in the right place
• you can complete barnstorming in a helicopter (or the UFO) if you prefer

I had some success last night barnstorming although I crashed (horribly) in my first attempt. That "you're smoked" message is really getting on my nerves. I wasn't in the biplane for this attempt. Once I switched to the biplane things got better.

In order:

1. flew under three metal pipes of a gantry connecting a cargo ship to the dock – I had to do this twice as, apparently, direction matters