The Function No One Expected: Google Earth Puts You in Control of a Virtual Airplane
Google Earth enriches itself with a new experimental feature that transforms the experience of exploring Earth into something akin to a light flight simulator. However, this is not a product comparable to advanced software like Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane, but rather a mode designed for fun and casual discovery of the territory seen from above.
The novelty is available in the web version of Google Earth and can be activated directly from the tools menu. Once started, the user can choose any point on the map and immediately begin to fly over the selected area. There is no need to follow takeoff or landing procedures: the system initiates the simulation instantaneously, positioning the virtual aircraft in the air.
To achieve a more realistic rendering of the landscape, it is possible to switch from the standard view to satellite mode, which allows for observing more detailed and three-dimensional images. During the flight, in fact, the system loads 3D buildings and high-resolution images in streaming, but the quality of the experience may vary based on the internet connection and data loading speed.
Prepare for takeoff. ? Flight simulator is now available globally on web to all users.
We've recently added many of our most powerful professional desktop features to the web: elevation profiles, new import types, but there's always been one other feature...
The Flight Model Proposed by Google Earth
The flight model is deliberately simplified. It does not include a complex aerodynamic simulation but instead offers basic controls that allow for easy maneuvering of the craft. The keyboard commands include keys to increase or decrease thrust, while the arrow keys are used to modify tilt and rotation. It is also possible to switch to mouse control by activating it with a click within the simulation and adjust speed through a dedicated interface.
There are no traditional phases of takeoff or landing: you simply choose a location on Earth and start flying. In the event of a collision with the ground, the simulation automatically stops and allows you to resume flight from a safe altitude, thus avoiding situations of permanent error.
This feature therefore represents a fun and accessible addition to Google Earth, aimed more at virtual exploration than realistic flight simulation, offering users a new way to observe the planet from a dynamic and interactive perspective.