The Hidden Feature: Google Earth

The following is something I discovered in September of 2007.  It is a hidden feature in Google Earth that can be found in Google, but not really advertised.  Read on for more information.

If you know Google, you are aware of Maps and Earth.  And now, there newest feature is Moon.  But many people are not aware of a feature that they’ve passed through many times while visiting Google.  It is a flight simulator.

In order to have the flight simulator, you need to have version 4.2 of Google Earth.  To download Google Earth, click here.

Requirements

O.S.:  Windows 2000, XP & Vista, Mac OS X, Linux

Tips

For best performance of the flight simulator, it is suggested that you have a very fast computer.  If your computer is very slow, don’t download this software!  If your computer performs at moderate speeds, the display during gameplay will be a little “choppy” and will be less enjoyable.  In order to avoid “choppiness”, download Google Earth on a fast computer.  Performance is key if you want to use the flight simulator at its best.

Next:  Getting Started

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Once you’ve downloaded the software, you’re ready to get started.  Open Google Earth.  When it is open and the Earth is visible, enter this key combination:  CTRL + ALT + A.  A dialog box that looks like the image below should appear.  First, choose which airplane you would like to fly.  For beginners, I would suggest the SR22.  It goes really slow but it is good to teach you the basics of control.  If you are an experienced user I would suggest the F16, which can reach up to Mach 2.  That’s two times the speed of sound!

After selecting your aircraft, you need to decide your start position.  You have two choices now, but three later.  First, you can choose the current view that is displayed on the map.  Second, you can choose one from the few airports listed in the drop down menu.  Third, you can select “Last Position in Flight Simulator” after you have flown at least once.

If you have a joystick, it is supported by Google Earth.  Just plug it in, and enable it by checking the box in the last section of the dialog box.  Once you are done selecting your options, click “Start Flight”.

Next:  Controls

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Congratulations!  You’ve installed the software and set up the Flight Simulator.  Now you’re ready to fly!  How do you fly?  Here are all of the controls you’ll ever need.

	Command	Windows/Linux Keystroke(s)	Mac Keystroke(s)	Result or Comment