How to Use the Zonai Wing in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Glide across Hyrule’s skies with precision and flair-mastering the Zonai wing is all about balance, timing, and clever use of momentum. From stable takeoffs to long-distance glides, these pro tips will turn every flight into a controlled adventure.

Trust us: Nailing flight pays off. The easy solution to practically every problem in Tears of the Kingdom‘s opening hours is to build a bridge. A very, very, very long bridge. But the further you go in Hyrule, the bigger your problems – quite literally. Soon, a geographical challenge will span a distance far greater than any bridge could reach.

For the biggest gaps, you’ll need the Zonai wing. Here are our go-to methods for lifting off.

How to fly with Zonai wing: The basics

The Zonai wing is one of the most useful tools for gliding across Hyrule’s skies, but mastering it takes some timing and precision. Place the wing on a stable surface near a launch point, such as a slope or rail, then climb aboard and position Link near the front for better lift. Activating a fan or using a Zonai device can help gain altitude, while shifting your weight adjusts direction and speed. Keep an eye on the wing’s glide time-it will eventually disappear, so plan your route carefully before takeoff.

Before you can become a master of aviation, you must first learn the basics. Early in the adventure on the Great Sky Island, Link will come across a bird-shaped glider called the Zonai wing. Alongside this device waits a pre-cut runway that slopes downward and off a cliff, sending the wing into the air using nothing more than gravity. This runway and Zonai wing combo is the best way to reach the Temple of Time – and a great opportunity to take your first flight.

Where to buy Zonai wing capsules

Zonai wing capsules can be obtained from Zonai Device Dispensers scattered across the Sky Islands. The most reliable spots include the Great Sky Island near the Nachoyah Shrine, where you can trade Zonai Charges for capsules. You can also collect them from other dispensers found in regions such as the East Hebra Sky Archipelago or the South Eldin Sky Archipelago. Keep extra Zonai Charges on hand so you can stock up whenever you encounter a dispenser.

Before you leave the Great Sky Island, you will come across a Zonai capsule dispenser near the Gutanbac Shrine. Spend your Zonai charges! Seriously, don’t be stingy, because you’ll collect plenty more charges throughout the game.

I recommend you buy in bulk, putting five Zonai charges into the machine to receive as many capsules as possible. Do this a few times if you have the extra charges on hand. This particular capsule dispenser favors Zonai wings and fans, which will be indispensable throughout your journeys both in the sky and on the surface.

Fly the Zonai wing with fans and rockets

Attach two fans or a rocket to the Zonai wing to give it a strong push on takeoff and help control speed during flight. Fans provide steady propulsion for gliding over long distances, while rockets offer a quick burst of acceleration that can lift the wing higher or help clear obstacles. Balancing their placement is key-fans should align straight with the wing’s center, and rockets should be angled slightly upward to maintain stability. Once airborne, adjust direction by shifting Link’s weight and tapping the controls gently to keep your glide smooth and controlled.

Once you return to the surface of Hyrule, you won’t find many (if any) Zonai wing launch ramps. So, taking flight is a bit trickier. The most obvious way to get air is to use additional Zonai tools to convert the Zonai wing from a glider to a miniature airplane.

I recommend a tall cliff and either fans or rockets. Place the various Zonai parts in a safe, flat space near the cliff edge. If using one fan or rocket, place it on the tail of the Zonai wing. If using multiple, balance them on opposite sides of the rear of the Zonai wing.

Carry the complete mini-plane to the edge, then trigger the Zonai fans or rockets. You might need many fans or rockets to get enough propulsion off the edge. Which is why we recommend…

Fly Zonai wing with Ultrahand and Recall

Attach the Zonai wing to a flat surface using Ultrahand, then position a fan or rocket to generate forward thrust. Once airborne, use Recall to reverse the wing’s movement and adjust its path for smoother control or altitude correction. Combining these two abilities helps stabilize tricky takeoffs and lets you fine-tune your flight without wasting extra energy or resources.

This strategy may look a little trickier, but it lets you save your precious Zonai resources and, in my experience, has had the best success rate.

Drop a Zonai wing onto a flat surface near the edge of the cliff. Get some distance between you and the Zonai wing, and then grab it with Ultrahand. Carry the wing to the edge of the cliff, hold it off the cliff, and lift it up high. Now, slowly walk backward, lowering the Zonai wing gradually back to the surface – think of it like performing the plane’s takeoff in reverse.

Once the Zonai wing is on the ground, hop on and hit it with Recall. If done correctly, the Zonai wing will take off into the air and off the cliff.

If you want to get extra distance, combine this technique with the fans/rockets approach. Take off without thrusters, then turn them on when you need some propulsion to reach your destination.

Fly the Zonai wing by skydiving

Leap from a high point or lift-off platform and glide toward the Zonai wing as it falls through the sky. Align your character carefully to land in the center of the wing, allowing gravity to carry you downward until you make contact. Once aboard, balance your weight to stabilize flight and steer using body positioning or directional controls. Precise timing and alignment make this maneuver one of the most reliable ways to launch the wing smoothly without additional devices.

This last method is neither reliable nor easy. You’ll need either be shot into the sky or leap from a sky island, and then there’s the trouble of actually pulling off the aerial stunt. But this method definitely looks the coolest.

First, skydive from a very, very high place. When you’ve reached an opportune altitude from which to soar to your target, pop open your paraglider. Select a Zonai wing capsule from your inventory and drop it beneath you. If done correctly, the Zonai wing will materialize beneath Link’s feet, allowing you to convert the energy of the free fall into forward momentum.

Best wing attachments like fans and rockets

Fans and rockets rank as top Zonai Wing attachments in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for reliable propulsion and speed. Pair them strategically with steering sticks for pro-level control during extended flights.​

Fan Setups

Attach 2-3 fans to the rear underside of the Wing using Ultrahand, facing backward to push air and generate forward thrust. Activate fans by hitting them with a weapon or arrow before boarding-position a steering stick centrally above the fans for turning by shifting weight or direct input.​​

Rocket Boosts

Fuse 1-4 rockets to the Wing’s underside for explosive launches, especially from flat ground or minimal slopes. Fire them in sequence via arrows to sustain speed without overshooting landings, though they drain battery faster than fans.​

Hybrid Builds

Combine two rear fans with side rockets and a front steering stick for balanced planes that climb steadily. Add a minecart below for ground taxiing or Korok seeds for minor weight adjustments that tweak glide paths.​​

Comparison Table

Best Mineru attachments beyond fans rockets wings

Mineru’s Construct in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom excels with attachments beyond fans, rockets, and wings for combat, mobility, and utility. Top choices focus on damage output, crowd control, and environmental adaptation.​

Combat Emitters

Zonai Cannons on one arm deliver long-range blasts for sniping mounted foes like Stalkoblins, while pairing with Shock, Flame, or Frost Emitters on the other stuns or freezes groups-Frost Emitters shine without sage overlap.​

Melee Powerhouses

Fuse Giant Spiked Balls from monster camps or Flux Construct Cores from Sky Island bosses to arms for unbreakable, high-damage swings that mine Zonaite and crush enemies; Dragon Spike Shards add elemental bursts and durability.​

Utility Additions

Hover Stones on the back prevent fall damage during glides; minecarts enable shield surfing; springs launch foes or boost jumps.​

Top Builds Table