I’m actually surprised this didn’t exist already, but Google has released a new competitor to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
OK, that’s not actually the case, but it has released an experimental flight simulator mode into the Google Earth web app. It’s very basic, but matched with Google Earth’s aerial imagery, it’s actually pretty fun to zip around our beautiful planet with.
Google even says in its documentation that the Google Earth flight simulator is “designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training.”
So it’s definitely not your new alternative to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12.
Nevertheless, it’s available now 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 beefy graphics card.
As you fly around 3D buildings, high-res imagery streams in, not dissimilar to how Microsoft handles it in the modern Flight Simulator releases. If you’re going too fast or your connection isn’t that great, this might affect the quality.
Controls are simple, all done from the right-hand side of your keyboard. Use the arrow keys to go up and down and left and right and the page up and page down keys to go faster or slower. No need for a controller or fancy HOTAS system here.
You don’t have to worry about taxiing, taking off, or landing or any of that realistic jazz. Find a location on Google Earth, open the flight simulator from the Tools menu, and you’re up and running.
Is it a bit gimmicky? Sure. 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 into the mix?
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