# Google Earth Flight Simulator

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [September 1, 2007, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713 "2007-09-01T10:24:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/1 "2007-09-01T10:24:56Z")

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Is it common knowledge that the latest version of Google Earth (ie the one that introduced Google Sky) has a hidden flight simulator? Instructions [here.](http://earth.google.com/intl/en/userguide/v4/flightsim/index.html)

Just a note but on my XP box it was ctrl+windows key+A that brought it up rather than the stated ctrl+alt+A . It’s very groovy - I’ve had a lot of fun flying around the Himalayas in my F16! 🆒

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/2 "2007-09-01T11:51:56Z")

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Sounds cool, I’m updating Google Earth right now.

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**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/3 "2007-09-01T20:59:46Z")

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I am so terrible at this! Lots of fun, though!

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**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/4 "2007-09-01T22:47:08Z")

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Awesome!!

My wife just showed this to me. I have thrice taken off from [Minot Int’l (KMOT)](http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMOT) with intent on a touch-and-go at [Minot AFB (KMIB)](http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMIB.) Just a word of advice: the controls are better handled with a joystick, and there are no avionics or so much as a compass to navigate with.

Tripler  
I’ve done inverted nose dives onto U.S. Hwy 83 four times now. . . :smack:

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/5 "2007-09-02T00:36:28Z")

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There is a compass rose across the top of the screen. It is partially cut-off in window mode and completely cut-off in full screen.

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**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-earth-flight-simulator/417713/6 "2007-09-02T01:18:25Z")

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I keep crashing.

I no be pilot.

I can’t make the mouse control anything meaningful, and playing with the keys is hard to master, but master I will, even if I wipe out half the Chicago area flying from the former Miegs Field.