I don't know if i've got this right, but how it was explained to me is that during multiplayer every client that is connect to the server has to have the skins that are used in the server, so my suggestion is based of this.
Could the skins be moved client side? so you can fly with whatever skin you like, and it only appears to those that have the same skin installed, otherwise it just appears as a default?
This would make it better for group play, video making and a general improvement all round.