Learn how to fly formation with other players in MSFS, from multiplayer setup and joining procedures to station-keeping and visibility fixes.
To fly formation with other players in Microsoft Flight Simulator, put every pilot on the same multiplayer server, form a group, spawn at the same airfield, and appoint one lead. Use matched aircraft and weather, join up gradually, hold a fixed visual reference, and separate immediately if sight is lost.
Set up a formation flight in MSFS
The most reliable setup is a private group on one server, with one named leader and separate parking stands. Public multiplayer also works, but it gives you no control over whether another pilot will cooperate.
- Use the same simulator generation. MSFS 2020 pilots cannot join an MSFS 2024 session, or vice versa. Everyone should also install any required simulator updates before joining.
- Select the same server region. Choose a region that gives acceptable latency to the whole group, rather than automatically using the leader's nearest server.
- Create a multiplayer group. Invite every pilot, confirm that each invitation has been accepted, and use Group Only visibility or the equivalent organised-session option where available. Menu names and locations differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
- Choose comparable aircraft. Identical aircraft make power settings and turning performance easier to match. Different types can fly together, but the lead must remain within the least capable aircraft's speed and manoeuvring limits.
- Agree on time and weather. This is especially important where the selected multiplayer mode imposes live-time or live-weather conditions. A group invitation does not correct every session-setting mismatch.
- Spawn on separate stands. Use adjacent parking positions or enter the runway in sequence. Selecting the same stand or runway spawn can place aircraft inside one another.
- Establish voice communication. Use a separate voice channel or platform-level party chat. Player nameplates help everyone locate the lead initially, but they are a poor reference for close station-keeping.
Our breakdown of MSFS groups, server regions and visibility rules covers the session settings in more detail.
Can I form up with random MSFS players?
Yes, but public visibility does not mean that another pilot wants close company. Approach with plenty of room, never block a runway, and move away if the other aircraft changes course to avoid you.
MSFS 2024 users without an organised group can follow our advice on finding active public pilots and suitable meeting places.
How do you join and hold formation?
The lead controls the flight path while each wingman controls spacing and separation. Beginners should start several wingspans apart and reduce the distance only after the formation, controls and network connection have stabilised.
- Let the lead depart first. The leader should climb to an agreed altitude, level out and hold a constant heading and moderate speed. Wingmen take off at agreed intervals.
- Rejoin from behind. Approach from a visible, offset position rather than crossing in front of the lead. Reduce closure early; rushing the final part of a join is a common cause of overshoots.
- Pick a visual reference. Hold a recognisable part of the lead aircraft, such as a wingtip or canopy, against a fixed point on your windscreen. Do not chase the floating nameplate.
- Make small corrections. Use throttle primarily to adjust fore-and-aft position, gentle bank for lateral position and small pitch changes for vertical position. Large corrections usually produce an oscillation from one side of the formation to the other.
- Anticipate the lead. Watch for bank, pitch and power changes rather than waiting for the gap to grow. The lead should use smooth control inputs and announce significant turns, climbs and speed changes.
- Separate if visual contact is lost. Call “lost sight” or the group's agreed phrase, stop trying to rejoin and move in the pre-briefed direction. Do not turn towards the lead's last observed position.
For cross-unders, lead discipline and safer separation procedures, see our detailed formation station-keeping guide.
Which formation is easiest for beginners?
| Formation | Best use | Main difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Loose echelon | Two to four aircraft learning visual references | Wingmen must avoid drifting closer during turns |
| Line astern | Simple departures and route following | The lead may be harder to see; avoid sitting directly in any simulated wake |
| Loose route formation | Sightseeing, mixed aircraft and imperfect connections | Less precise, but much more tolerant of lag |
| Vic or finger-four | Experienced groups with several wingmen | Requires disciplined spacing and clear position assignments |
Should we take off and land in formation?
Beginners should take off and land individually, then assemble in the air. This avoids runway overlap, blind spots and sudden position changes caused by multiplayer interpolation.
A formation take-off is sensible only when the pilots have practised together, use closely matched aircraft, have enough runway width and have agreed exactly who holds each side. Landings should normally be sequential: the lead lands first while the remaining aircraft maintain circuit spacing or make another approach.
Do not rely on collision or damage settings to protect the group. Multiplayer contact and aircraft position updates are not dependable spacing cues.
What calls should the formation use?
A small set of agreed calls is enough if everyone uses the same wording. The leader should avoid constant chatter but announce changes before wingmen need to react.
- “Lead rolling” and “airborne” identify the start of the departure sequence.
- “Turning left/right” should include the intended heading or turn size when practical.
- “Climbing,” “descending” or “power change” warns wingmen before vertical or speed changes.
- “Lost sight” means the affected aircraft is separating and must not attempt a blind rejoin.
- “Knock it off” ends the manoeuvre immediately; everyone separates predictably and returns to ordinary flight.
Why can't I see another formation pilot in MSFS?
Invisible friends are usually caused by a server, group or visibility mismatch rather than the aircraft add-on. Check the following in order:
- Confirm that everyone is running MSFS 2020 or everyone is running MSFS 2024, not a mixture.
- Verify the server region shown for every pilot; accepting a group invitation does not always correct a prior region mismatch.
- Make sure Online Functionality, Multiplayer and player traffic visibility are enabled. Platform privacy and cross-network permissions can override the in-game setting.
- Check that each pilot actually joined the group rather than merely accepting a friend request.
- If using a live-player mode, match the conditions required by that mode. For an organised flight, group visibility removes several public-session filtering problems.
- Turn on player nameplates temporarily and confirm that everyone spawned at the correct airport and stand.
- Leave and recreate the group after changing servers. Restart the simulator only if this quicker reset fails.
Players do not normally need to own the same aircraft add-on to see one another. MSFS may substitute a generic or approximate model when an aircraft is unavailable locally, however, and that different silhouette makes close formation references unreliable.
Why do multiplayer aircraft jump or lag?
If only the other aircraft jump while your cockpit remains smooth, the cause is usually network latency or multiplayer position interpolation. If your own cockpit and controls stutter too, local rendering or processor load is the more likely problem.
Use a server region that suits the whole group, pause background transfers, avoid crowded airports and increase formation spacing. The lead should make gradual changes because rapid rolls and abrupt power adjustments exaggerate interpolation errors. If the whole simulator is stuttering, reduce demanding graphics and traffic settings before attempting close station-keeping.
Is formation flying the same as shared cockpit?
No. Standard MSFS multiplayer places each pilot in a separate aircraft; it does not synchronise two people inside one cockpit. Our explanation of the difference between multiplayer formation and shared-cockpit flying covers the available options and limitations.