What if you want to buy Microsoft Flight Simulator X, but don't have the money?
No problem, since the newest version of Google Earth (4.2) has a built-in flight simulator. This is a great feature! Some parts of the world are made in 3D so that makes it even more fun.
Having problems with the simulator? This guide is a complete manual of the flight simulator and will show you how to fly your plane.
Please enjoy yourself!
How to open the flight simulator?
- You will first need Google Earth version 4.2 or higher. You can download it for free here.
- Now start up Google Earth.
- Next, press Ctrl + Alt + A.
- A window will pop up (See image below).
1. Aircraft selection
In the 4.2 version, there are only two planes available: the F16 jet fighter and the SR22 propeller airplane.
F16
This plane is for advanced pilots. The max speed is enormous, but flying it requires concentration and isn't so easy.
- Take-off speed: 210
- Maximum speed when flying straight: 1000
SR22
This is a nice plane for starters. It reacts quite well and is not too difficult to master.
- Take-off speed: 80
-
Maximum speed when flying straight: 210
2. Start position
You can move to any place in Google Earth and then click "Current view" in the simulator window. Your plane will then start from the spot you selected.
You can also choose one of the 27 airport from the drop-down list. You will than start on the runway of that airport.
A third option is to start from the last position in the simulator.
3. Joystick support
Here you can turn your joystick on and off.
How to fly your airplane
I suggest you take the SR22 since this is the best plane for new players. This is a list of the controls:
- Increase thrust: PgUp
- Decrease thrust: PgDn
- Aileron left: Left arrow
- Aileron right: Right arrow
- Elevator push: Up arrow
- Elevator pull: Down arrow
- Rudder left: Shift + left arrow
- Rudder right: Shift + right arrow
- Increase flaps: F
- Decrease flaps: Shift + F
- Left wheel brake: , (Comma)
- Right wheel brake: . (Period)
- Gear: G
- Pause: Space
- Toggle HUD on/off: H
- Thrust: Generates speed
- Aileron: Makes your plane roll to the left/right
- Elevator: Makes your plane go up/down
- Rudder: Makes your plane turn left/right. This is especially useful for turning on the ground.
- Flaps: Flaps reduce your speed. Put your flaps to 100% when you're going to land.
- Brakes: These stop your airplane. Use both brakes at the same time.
- Gear: This opens your landing gear. (Only works on F16)
HUD
1 - Speed meter
The arrow shows your speed.
2 - Height meter
The arrow shows you height
3 - Artificial horizon
The artificial horizon consists of two parts:
First you have the lines with numbers on their sides. They display the ascent/descent rate your plane has.
The other part is the half moon above the lines. This displays your rotation.
Since my plane is on the ground standing still, my speed is 0, my altitude is around 100 and the artificial horizon also looks fine.
Crashing
If your plane crashes, a window will pop up.
You can choose to resume the flight from where you crashed, then you will respawn above the crash site.
Or, you can choose to exit the flight simulator.
Extra
Here's an in-flight picture.
I'm flying in a SR22. My speed is 150, my altitude is 600 - 700 and I'm flying a little upwards. I'm also a little bit rotated to the right.
