Google Earth as flight simulator

[gsweeney]

I've found a very fascinating Flight Simulation in GOOGLE EARTH.
You first rotate their Earth globe to the spot where you
want to fly.

Use the altitude set device*to select the altitude to start your flight - somewhere
below*5,000 feet will get you close enough to earth to maneuver.

Then, select one of 2 airplanes - a small propeller plane, or a high speed
jet. Go to TOOLS*to do this, then SELECT A FLIGHT SIMULATOR.

When you start your flight, you will see a "heads-up" display superimposed
on the screen. Then, choose the option for MOUSE control by double-clicking
to change the cursor from an arrow to a target cross. This lets you control the plane
with the mouse, just as if it were the control stick. Forward-backward for elevator control,
right-left for turn control. You can get rid of the heads-up display by toggling H.

A challenge - pick out an airport, and try to land on it. Not as easy as it
may seem! PAGE UP, -DOWN for throttle control.
" [ "and " ] " for FLAP UP, FLAP DOWN control.

Happy landings!

[Adam24]

I know about the Google FS, but in my opinion it has pretty unrealistic flight dinamycs, and cant be compared even to fs2000... But its a nice add to Earth

[mrzippy]

Almost as much fun as a 1/4 barrel of monkeys! Maybe when I have nothing better to do!

[mrzippy]

OK, I guess I had nothing better to do. I just made a successful flight from KLAX Runway 6 to KSFO in about 15 minutes I landed smoothly on Runway 28 Right. NOW WHAT?

[Adam24]

OK, I guess I had nothing better to do. I just made a successful flight from KLAX Runway 6 to KSFO in about 15 minutes a landed smoothly on Runway 28 Right. NOW WHAT?

Now enjoy the 3D buildings that google offers!

[Allison]

I also got to know that Use Google Earth flight simulator

You can fly around the globe in Google Earth using the flight simulator feature. This allows you to operate a simulated aircraft using either your mouse or another controller.
Entering Flight Simulator

To enter the flight simulator, do one of the following:

Click Tools > Enter Flight Simulator
Press CTRL + Alt + A (Command/Open Apple Key + Option + A on the Mac)

The Flight Simulator dialog box appears. You need to chose the following:

Aircraft - Choose the airplane you would like to fly based on the descriptions shown. The SR22 is a slower plane and easier for beginners.
Start Position - Choose where you would like to begin.
Joystick support - Check Joystick enabled if there is a joystick device on your computer that you would like to use.

To change these settings, exit the flight simulator and press CTRL + Alt + A (Command/Open Apple Key + Option + A on the Mac)

[b3burner]

As cheesie as it may seem, compared to dedicated flight sim programs, this was actually my introduction to the flight sim world on or around 2008, early 2009. Then came X-plane 7 for me in June 2009, followed by FS9 in June 2010. Okay... a late comer of sorts, but better late than never.

I always lamented the fact that Google Earth has never found a way to incorporate "spot views" of the aircraft into their "sim", nor a greater selection of aircraft... but for what it is (HUD cockpit views and all), not bad.

Haven't used it in a good long time, but I believe you can now take your plane, dive into the ocean at 800+ mph and go down into the murky depths below. And I don't even think it slows you down but 10 mph... the transition from air to water! LOL

[andyjohnston]

Check out GEFS Online ( I think it's www.gefs-online.com ) and it gives a much better flight sim, with a choice of several aircraft, all with the 3D buildings etc. Some areas look amazing, some like NYC are actually so dense that my computer has trouble keeping up!