diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/World/SpawnStartingUnits.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/World/SpawnStartingUnits.cs
index c4337113a03b..ea55ef04f010 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/World/SpawnStartingUnits.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/World/SpawnStartingUnits.cs
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using OpenRA.Graphics;
+using OpenRA.Mods.Common.Activities;
 using OpenRA.Primitives;
 using OpenRA.Traits;
 
@@ -73,6 +74,23 @@ public void WorldLoaded(World world, WorldRenderer wr)
 					SpawnUnitsForPlayer(world, p);
 		}
 
+		static void InitActor(Actor actor, CPos spawnLocation)
+		{
+			// Spawn aircraft at cruise altitude.
+			var aircraft = actor.TraitOrDefault<Aircraft>();
+			if (aircraft != null)
+			{
+				if (!aircraft.Info.TakeOffOnCreation && aircraft.CanLand(spawnLocation))
+					aircraft.AddInfluence(spawnLocation);
+				else
+				{
+					var pos = aircraft.CenterPosition;
+					aircraft.SetCenterPosition(actor, new WPos(pos.X, pos.Y, pos.Z + aircraft.Info.CruiseAltitude.Length));
+					actor.QueueActivity(new FlyIdle(actor));
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
 		void SpawnUnitsForPlayer(World w, Player p)
 		{
 			var spawnClass = p.PlayerReference.StartingUnitsClass ?? w.LobbyInfo.GlobalSettings
@@ -87,14 +105,17 @@ void SpawnUnitsForPlayer(World w, Player p)
 
 			if (unitGroup.BaseActor != null)
 			{
+				var pos = p.HomeLocation + unitGroup.BaseActorOffset;
 				var facing = unitGroup.BaseActorFacing ?? new WAngle(w.SharedRandom.Next(1024));
-				w.CreateActor(unitGroup.BaseActor.ToLowerInvariant(), new TypeDictionary
+				var actor = w.CreateActor(unitGroup.BaseActor.ToLowerInvariant(), new TypeDictionary
 				{
-					new LocationInit(p.HomeLocation + unitGroup.BaseActorOffset),
+					new LocationInit(pos),
 					new OwnerInit(p),
 					new SkipMakeAnimsInit(),
 					new FacingInit(facing),
 				});
+
+				InitActor(actor, pos);
 			}
 
 			if (unitGroup.SupportActors.Length == 0)
@@ -117,13 +138,15 @@ void SpawnUnitsForPlayer(World w, Player p)
 				var subCell = ip.SharesCell ? w.ActorMap.FreeSubCell(validCell) : 0;
 				var facing = unitGroup.SupportActorsFacing ?? new WAngle(w.SharedRandom.Next(1024));
 
-				w.CreateActor(s.ToLowerInvariant(), new TypeDictionary
+				var actor = w.CreateActor(s.ToLowerInvariant(), new TypeDictionary
 				{
 					new OwnerInit(p),
 					new LocationInit(validCell),
 					new SubCellInit(subCell),
 					new FacingInit(facing),
 				});
+
+				InitActor(actor, validCell);
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/mods/d2k/rules/aircraft.yaml b/mods/d2k/rules/aircraft.yaml
index 7a030b32149f..e871bd55c3e8 100644
--- a/mods/d2k/rules/aircraft.yaml
+++ b/mods/d2k/rules/aircraft.yaml
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ carryall.reinforce:
 		LandableTerrainTypes: Sand, Rock, Transition, Spice, SpiceSand, Dune, Concrete
 		Repulsable: False
 		AirborneCondition: airborne
+		CanForceLand: false
 		CanSlide: True
 		VTOL: true
 		IdleTurnSpeed: 4