When it comes to the zombie apocalypse, we've all been there. You're quietly enjoying your survival, and not a single zombie is in sight. Then, out of nowhere, a helicopter flies overhead, and you're surrounded by the undead. In Project Zomboid, a helicopter event is nothing but bad news if you're not ready for it. Luckily, we know exactly how to avoid them, and we'll tell you how in our guide right now.

Project Zomboid Helicopter Events Explained

As Project Zomboid players are well aware, any amount of noise that you make can attract the unsavory attention of the undead. Naturally, the louder a noise, the more zombies you'll attract. Of course, not every sound that attracts zombies has to be made by you. Helicopters can occasionally fly overhead, and these enormous machines draw huge numbers of zombies from all around to your location. You won't be able to see helicopters when they're flying overhead, but you'll definitely hear them yourself. The problem is knowing when a helicopter event will take place. Luckily, helicopter events always occur between days 6 and 9, any time from 9 AM to 8 PM. On the day that the helicopter event takes place, you can hear a brief message on the Automated Emergency Broadcast System. This AEBR station will announce 'air activity detected'. So long as you're listening to this message, you should have plenty of heads up regarding the helicopter's impending arrival. If you stay indoors, you should be able to avoid the chopper's attention, and no zombie hordes will come your way. However, there is a chance that you can still have hordes appear outside your doors if the helicopter flies overhead. If you want to completely avoid the helicopter, take enough supplies to last through the day and night, and head out to the countryside or forest. A forest will offer more overhead cover in case the chopper decides to head your way. However, if you're not anywhere near a town or city, you should be able to wait out the helicopter event in relative comfort.

Helicopter Event Custom Settings

The details listed above are what you'll experience if you play on the Apocalypse or Survivor settings. However, you can mix up the helicopter's flight plans yourself if you play in Sandbox mode. When you start a new Sandbox game, you'll have a huge list of customizable settings. The tab you'll want to open to find the helicopter is labeled Meta. Once you're here, you can see the Helicopter Event Settings at the very top. Click on the drop-down tab next to it, and you'll be presented with four different options. Here's what each one does:

Once

This is the default setting. The helicopter will arrive only once, sometime between 6 and 9 days, as outlined in the section above.

Never

This will ensure the Helicopter Event never takes place. Hurray!

Sometimes

This will cause the Helicopter Event to happen more than once. This will be periodic and randomized. It may return shortly after it leaves, or it may take a week or more before you see it again. This setting will certainly require you and your friends to stay on your toes.

Often

This setting is not for the faint of heart. With this, the Helicopter Event will take place almost constantly. You and your pals will need to forage, move quickly, and constantly be prepared for the worst possible zombie horde scenarios. You'll be required to constantly move across the entire map with little down time if this is selected.