I’m surprised this isn’t already available, but Google has released a new competitor Microsoft flight simulator 2024.
OK, not really, but it did release an experimental flight simulator mode Google Earth web application. It’s pretty simple, but true to Google Earth’s aerial imagery, it’s actually pretty fun to drive around our beautiful planet.
Even Google says in his documents that the Google Earth flight simulator is “designed for casual exploration rather than high-precision aerodynamic training.”
So this isn’t your new alternative to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12.
Nevertheless, it’s now available for anyone to try, and since it’s a web app, you don’t need to install anything, and you definitely don’t need a big graphics card.
As you fly around 3D buildings, high-resolution images are included, unlike how Microsoft handles them in modern Flight Simulator releases. If you’re going too fast or your connection isn’t that good, this can affect quality.
The controls are simple, all done on the right side of your keyboard. Use the arrow keys to go up and down, left and right, and the page up and down keys to go faster or slower. No controller or fancy HOTAS system needed here.
You don’t have to worry about taxiing, taking off, landing, or any of that real jazz. Find a location in Google Earth, open the flight simulator Tools menu, and you work.
A little crafty? Of course. But in the context of Google Earth, it’s actually a nice feature to add, and I hope they keep working on it. If you’re using Google Earth anyway, why not add a little extra fun to the mix?
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