Most would have heard about flight simulator from Microsoft. Now Google introduces its own version of flight simulator in Google Earth. You heard it right, with the latest version of Google Earth you can fly a plane or rather simulate flying one. Google did expand Google Earth with Google Sky last week and this seems to be an unpublicised, but most welcome add-on to the service.

How to get the Flight Simulator:

• Download the latest version of Google Earth
• Use it for some time by simply exploring around
• Then press Ctrl+Alt+A on PCs or Command+Option+A if you are running on OSX

You get the above screen. Select the options you want and start your flight. A full set of flying controls is also given by Google themselves. The controls are a bit jittery though and you don’t get a view of the aircraft or the cockpit. But it is the first version after all, so a lot can be expected soon.

Once you have entered flight simulator mode for the first time, you can re-enter the mode by choosing Tools > Enter Flight Simulator. So, the feature was hidden only for the first time, the next time onwards you needn’t use the shortcut to access the Flight Simulator.

Also, with a good internet connection the landscapes will render faster so as to keep up with the speed of the aircraft. Otherwise, you may not get a clear view of the ground and landscapes. The ‘game’ can also be played using Joysticks or Gamepads and also supports Force Feedback (vibration etc.).

I am sure everybody is as excited about this as I am. Let me know what you think of this new innovative feature from Google. A Microsoft Flight Simulator killer in the making perhaps?

Screenshots:

Full Credit to Marco Gallotta for the amazing find.

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