Wolf wrote:They actually are accessible in your ship comms (2 key by default) There you see pilots in your locations and below the friends who are online. I am gueassing here, but as there were only three in that list yesterday, I think it only shows friends who are actually online in the same grouping as you are, meaning if you are online via private group and they are open play, you don't see them there.
This would explain it. Seing several friend online in the main menu, but only a few in-game. Cheers Wolf.