How to Make a Flying Machine in Minecraft

Posted: Jul 4, 2022 in Minecraft

By Kevin Lott

Overview

If you’ve played Minecraft for a while, then you will be no stranger to the black magic that is Redstone. What should be a fantastical rendition of basic electronic circuitry ends up allowing any Minecraft player to build the most absurd of contraptions. Whether they automate a food farm or make a working clock, players find tons of unique ways to utilize Redstone. Today, we’re going to go over one of the craziest contraptions that players have built throughout all versions: the flying machine. Let’s begin.

The Flying Machine

For the sake of this blog, we will be using Java Edition and its Redstone mechanics as a baseline. We will also be building the simplest form of flying machines, to be as easy as possible. Worry not though, even something like this is fairly complex.

First off, make sure the base of the flying machine is elevated to the height that you want this thing to fly. The machine will fly horizontally at a consistent speed, and it will not be coming down. It will not be stopping either, at least until it hits something. For resources, you’ll need two sticky pistons, two observers, and four honey blocks. (or slime blocks) Now, let’s begin.

1. 

   To start building, place your first Observer facing the opposite of a Sticky Piston. Remember, this should be elevated as high as you want the machine to fly. (on the y axis)

2. 

   Place two Honey Blocks (or Slime Blocks) in front of the Sticky Piston, one after the other. These Honey Blocks are where you should be standing when on the flying machine.

3. 

   Repeat steps 1 and 2 adjacent to the structure you currently have adjacent to it, while also being faced opposite. The above image can be used for further clarification, as you should have something that looks like this as your finished result.

 
You’re finished! That’s all it takes to build a simple flying machine. Isn’t that awesome? Anyway, to start up the flying machine, just place a block in front of the Observer opposite of the side you would like the machine to fly toward. For example, if your machine faces North/South and you’d like to travel South, place a block in front of the North Observer. To stop the flying machine, place a block of Obsidian in front of the flying machine while it is flying.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it! Crafting a flying machine is honestly a little easier than I expected, but it’s still very cool! There are surely more advanced versions out there that have further functionality, like possibly being able to stop on their own. Some flying machines even drop TNT at set intervals as a form of land excavation, but that’s a topic for a whole separate blog! In any case, I hope you learned something new, and have a great day!