Build Minecraft flying machines: transport, farms & TNT

Flying machines almost feel like they don’t belong in the game. Yet thanks to Redstone, Minecraft allows more than you might expect! Resourceful players figured out early on that the interaction between pistons and slime blocks is fascinating and can carry you thousands of blocks. Flying machines sound complex at first, but they’re actually quite easy to build. So today we’ll take a closer look at how to build different variants and use them for several farms.

What is a Minecraft flying machine? How it works & Redstone basics

Flying machines are Redstone mechanisms that effectively power themselves and move endlessly in a straight line. They exploit the mechanics of pistons, which can push and retract blocks. In combination with slime blocks or honey blocks, you get a self-propelling contraption — hence the name.

Key basics:

• In Minecraft: Java Edition, pistons can push a maximum of 12 blocks (push limit). Plan your side arms accordingly.
• Slime blocks bounce entities; entities stick to honey blocks (handy for boats/minecarts).
• Immovable blocks (e.g. Obsidian, Chiseled Deepslate, Furnace) will reliably stop your machine.
• Bedrock and Java Edition differ in details. Test larger designs in your world first.

Simple Minecraft flying machine: step-by-step guide

Components:

• 2x Slime Block (or Honey Block)
• 2x Observer
• 2x Sticky Piston

You can use either Slime Blocks (Build an Automatic Slime Farm in Minecraft: Endless Slimeballs for Redstone Projects) or Honey Blocks (Automatic Honey Farm in Minecraft: Harvest Honey and Honeycombs Infinitely) . Both work similarly but differ in more complex machines.

Instructions:

1. Place the slime/honey blocks diagonally on the starting level of your flying machine.
2. Add two sticky pistons to complete the 2×2 square, facing the slime/honey blocks. The piston direction determines the travel direction.
3. Place observers on the slime/honey blocks to the right and left so their “faces” look sideways. Block updates will feed the pistons with continuous signals.
4. Trigger one observer (e.g. briefly place/remove a block). To stop the machine, use Obsidian or other immovable blocks at the end of the track.

Pro tip: For more stable designs, you can combine honey and slime blocks — they don’t stick to each other, perfect for separate arms.

Use cases for flying machines in Minecraft

Minecraft flying machines as transport: players, mobs & villagers

The name gives it away: with a flying machine you can travel long distances — perfect if you don’t have an Elytra yet. You can transport yourself, as well as animals or villagers.

This version uses honey blocks, as entities “stick” to them and get carried along. The easiest method is with a boat.

Components:

• 4x Honey Block
• 2x Observer
• 2x Sticky Piston
• 1x Boat

Instructions (short version):

1. Place two honey blocks in a line.
2. Behind them, place a sticky piston facing forwards towards the honey blocks on each side.
3. Behind each piston, add an observer with its face pointing forwards.
4. Mirror the mechanism directly next to it (for the opposing piston direction).
5. Place a boat on the honey blocks.
6. Activate one observer. Stop it with Obsidian/immovable blocks.

Note: Mind your chunks — if the area unloads, the machine will stall. Travel with it if possible, or use chunk loaders (Java server technique).

Automatic farms with flying machines: bamboo & sugar cane

Flying machines are perfect for bamboo and sugar cane: they harvest large areas in one sweep. We’ll combine side arms for breaking the plants and a stopper/reverser that automatically sends the machine back and forth.

Components:

• Base flying machine: 2x Slime Block, 2x Observer, 2x Sticky Piston
• Side arms: additional Slime Blocks (respect the 12-block push limit; practically about 9 per side)
• Stopper/reverser (each end): 1x Observer, 1x Redstone Repeater, 1x Iron Trapdoor, 1x Obsidian, Redstone Dust, 1x Lever

Instructions (short version):

1. Build the flying machine as above, but face the observers upwards so their redstone dot points towards the machine.
2. Extend side arms left and right to reach 1 block past the bamboo/sugar cane so the plants are broken as it passes.
3. Stopper/reverser per end: Place a forward-facing observer, then Obsidian behind it. On top of the observer, place a repeater (at least +1 tick); on the Obsidian place redstone dust. Put an iron trapdoor above the observer (at the repeater), place a lever on the Obsidian and switch it on.
4. Repeat on the opposite end, activate the machine — it will now shuttle automatically.

Pro tip: Collect drops with hoppers and minecarts with hoppers under the harvest line and feed them into chests or a sorting system.

TNT flying machine / TNT duper: large-scale digging & terraforming

With TNT, flying machines become powerful demolition tools — ideal for clearing huge areas. Many players use a TNT duper. This is partly considered an exploit and may work differently depending on version/server rules.

Important: Test in single-player whether it works for your version, and in multiplayer always ask whether TNT duping is allowed.

Components:

• 9x Slime Block
• 2x Observer
• 2x Sticky Piston
• Coral Fan (usually a “dead” coral fan)
• TNT
• Wall
• Activator Rail
• Minecart

Instructions (short version):

1. Place the TNT at the desired height, with a wall above it.
2. Set an observer diagonally so its face looks at the block in front of the TNT. Connect it to the wall with 4 slime blocks.
3. Place a sticky piston behind the observer’s slime block. Build three slime blocks upwards and one to the side (like an upside-down “L”).
4. Place the second sticky piston on the top slime block facing forwards, and add one more slime block in front.
5. Place the coral fan on the slime block between the lower observer and piston.
6. Place an activator rail and minecart on the slime block by the wall.
7. Place the last observer above the slime block next to the piston. When activated, the TNT destroyer will start.

Safety: Build a cordon with Obsidian and keep your distance. Store valuable items safely before starting.

Conclusion: Use flying machines efficiently and safely

Flying machines aren’t just a gimmick — they’re extremely useful for transport, farms, and even large-scale terraforming. Use them responsibly, plan stoppers with immovable blocks, and test designs beforehand. Want to try these Redstone mechanics with friends? Rent one of our Minecraft servers now and get started!