Google Earth brings flight simulator to browsers

Google has made Google Earth's flight simulator available on web browsers, bringing one of the desktop app's long-running hidden features to the website version.

The feature is part of Google's wider push to add more advanced tools to the web version of Google Earth, allowing users to access key functions without installing the desktop app, reports Yahoo News.

The newly added web features include elevation profiles, new import types, extra data layers, and the flight simulator.

While most of the tools are aimed at professional and hobbyist users, the flight simulator is mainly designed as a fun way to explore the globe.

The feature was first introduced in the Google Earth desktop app in 2007. Its arrival on the web version marks the first time users can access it directly from a browser.

Users can access the flight simulator by visiting the Google Earth website and clicking the "Explore Earth" button.

They can then use the search bar to select a location anywhere on Earth before opening the "Tools" menu, where the flight simulator appears as the last option.

The simulator does not display controls inside the game, but Google provides the control guide on its developer website.

Users can control the aircraft's pitch and roll using either a mouse or the arrow keys, while the Page Up and Page Down buttons increase and decrease thrust.

The simulator is much simpler than full-scale games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or the Ace Combat series.

However, it uses Google Earth's global map database, allowing users to fly over landmarks and locations around the world.

There are no missions, achievements, or progress levels, but the feature offers users a simple way to explore Google Earth from the air.