How to Make a Simple Flying Machine in Minecraft: 2 Ways

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Step-by-step instructions to create a perpetual flying machine

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: March 20, 2026 Fact Checked

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Making a Simple Flying Machine

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Using Java Edition

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

In Minecraft, you can build flying machines using a combination of pistons, sticky pistons, slime or honey blocks, and observers or redstone. It’s a fun glitch to try. In this wikiHow article, we'll teach you how to build a flying machine in Minecraft Bedrock and Java editions.

Flying Machines in Minecraft

Pistons push blocks away, while sticky pistons pull blocks towards them. When they work together in conjunction using observers or redstone, you can create a machine that propels itself one block at a time. The mechanics are slightly different depending on whether you're using Bedrock or Java Edition.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Simple Flying Machine

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1
Stack blocks to get off the ground. It is important for the flying machine to be built off the ground. You can either make a nerdpole, find a tall tree or mountain, and stack a few blocks to get off the ground to get where you want to start crafting the machine.
- This design will work in both Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft. However, the mechanics work slightly differently in Java and Bedrock Editions.
Place it so that the face of the observer is facing the direction you want the machine to travel.

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Place it on the red dot behind the observer so that the sticky part of the piston is facing away from the observer.
You need to use a sticky block, like slime or honey.
The face of this observer should be facing the opposite direction from the first one. Place it next to the last slime or honey block on the end.
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Place a regular piston behind the observer. This should be a regular non-sticky piston. Place it on the red dot behind the second observer, so that it is next to the second slime or honey block.
- Java Edition: In Java Edition, you can use two sticky pistons instead of a regular piston. This will allow the machine to move in either direction. However, this will not work in Bedrock Edition.
You should now have two rows of observers, pistons, and slime or honey blocks in a row next to each other, facing opposite directions.
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Add a trailer (optional). If you want, you can add a trailer to the flying machine. This can act as a platform for you to stand on. Sticky pistons can pull as many as 12 blocks, so your trailer cannot exceed that. If you want to add a trailer, use the following steps to do so:^{[1]
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- Place an observer next to the slime or honey block that is attached to the sticky piston on the opposite side of the regular piston. It should face towards the rest of the flying machine.
- Place another sticky piston on the back of the observer you just placed.
- Place two more slime or honey blocks (or more) after the sticky piston.
- Attach any blocks you want to the slime or honey blocks. Make sure the trailer doesn’t exceed 12 blocks.
If you used a poll or tree to get to high ground, break the block you used to set the first observer on. This will free the machine from any ground attachments. The machine should now be hovering in the air.
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Place a block in front of the first observer and break it immediately. This will activate the observer and set the entire flying machine off on its voyage.
- It’s easier to ride the flying machine in Bedrock edition. In either version, it’s easy to glitch and fall through the blocks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Java Edition

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It is important for the flying machine to be built off the ground. You can either make a nerdpole, find a tall tree or mountain, and stack a few blocks to get off the ground to get where you want to start crafting the machine.
The direction the head of the piston faces will be the same direction the flying machine will travel.
Make sure the slime block is against the head of the piston.
You can use any block you want. Place two blocks in a row after the slime block.
After placing two blocks after the slime block, remove the first one so that there is a space in between the slime block and the second block. Place a sticky piston on the second block so that the head of the piston is facing the sticky block (the opposite direction of the first piston).
The head of the piston should be facing the direction opposite of the sticky piston (the same direction as the first piston).
Place another slime block against the head of the piston you just placed.
If you want to make a rideable flying machine, build it out of any material attached to the last slime block.
These redstone blocks will help power the flying machine after it starts.
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Remove the blocks under the flying machine. Whatever blocks you placed on the ground to get the flying machine off the ground, go ahead and remove them so that the flying machine is in the air by itself.
- On the PlayStation Edition of Minecraft, the flying machine will start moving after this step.
It's the second piston facing the opposite direction as the other two pistons. Placing a redstone block on it will cause it to extend.
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Remove the redstone block attached to the sticky piston. As soon as you remove the redstone block from the sticky piston, it will retract, and the machine will keep moving through the air in perpetual motion.
- Remove one of the redstone blocks to stop the flying machine.
- This flying machine is a one-time, one-use machine. Once you reach your destination, it must be rebuilt again.

Community Q&A

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Question

I tried this on a PC and it turned into a walking machine, not a flying machine. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

You might have it too close to the ground. Try to make it higher in the air.

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Can I make a simple flying machine on the Xbox version of Minecraft?

Community Answer

Now, with the updated editions, yes you can. The same way shown here should work.

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Question

Do I have to stand on a specific spot on the flying machine?

Kieran Fleming

Community Answer

You just have to stand between the redstone blocks. They will push you forward with the machine so you don't fall off.

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Tips

This flying machine can also be used as an effective sugarcane harvester.

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You can stop the flying machine by placing obsidian blocks in front of it. You can use this to create a station where you can get on and off the flying machine and change directions.

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