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Google Earth Flight Simulator

Posted by kdawson on from the now-that's-an-easter-egg dept.

insidedesign writes "Blogger Marco has recently discovered that the newest version of Google Earth includes a flight simulator. Though simple in comparison to full-blown simulators, Google Earth's is fun and addictive. To get started, press Ctrl+Alt+A for the initial dialog (on OS X, Command+Option+A). Then choose your plane (F16 or SR22) and initial airport. Joysticks are supported; it has even been reported that force feedback works. The game's controls are sensitive so it takes some getting used to. Here are all the available controls. For a quick overview, check out this YouTube video."

15 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Pentagon? by Cervantes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it possible to fly the plane into the Pentagon while hitting light poles along the way? It's hard to tell, as soon as you approach the Pentagon things get really fuzzy and 8-bit.
    --
    If I knew the wedgies I gave you back in 6th grade would have resulted in this . . . I might have taken a moments pause.
  2. Terrorism? by German_Dupree · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can just see the U.S. government attacking Google as a "terrorist training ground".

    Everyone knows that if it teaches you to fly an airplane, it's an Islam extremist hotbed.

  3. Wise Guys! by stox · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only airport they list for Chicago is Meigs. The only airport that no longer exists in Chicago.

    --
    "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
    1. Re:Wise Guys! by Nimey · · Score: 2, Funny

      Chicago's dead people seem to think so; they re-elected him a few months ago.

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    2. Re:Wise Guys! by stox · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yes, you did spell the mayor's name wrong, the correct spelling is "Emperor Daley." Mein Führer and All Hail the King would also be acceptable.

      --
      "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
  4. So does it work... by dbolger · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...with Google Sky?

    Start thrusters, take off, aim nose towards Andromeda, sit back and wait for two million years, find an airport, land.

    Sweet! :D

  5. Time to update the old corollary? by Ant+P. · · Score: 5, Funny

    All programs expand indefinitely until they include a flight simulator. And email.

  6. Re:Pentagon? by Tribbin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh no! They are completed their scrambler.

    Team 3 to position gamma!

    --
    If you mod this up, your slashdot background will turn into a beautiful sunset!
  7. Re:that blog by Bob+Gelumph · · Score: 2, Funny

    I could have summed it up in 30 seconds
    But you didn't.
    --
    I'm gonna need a spec.
  8. Yeah, it's all fun at first by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Funny

    But I for one am going to be shitting my pants when they update the ground textures to account for the bombing missions I flew in the flight simulator. I will be shitting my pants once again when I leave my house and notice the houses I targeted in my neighborhood are no longer there.

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  9. Re:Might I be the first to say... by Bluesman · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's Google's Earth, so the Mac actually has a long way to go to be a good citizen on it.

    --
    If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
  10. Crash by plams · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shit. I just accidently crashed my SR22 into the Google Campus. I hope they don't log these kind of things..

    1. Re:Crash by F4_W_weasel · · Score: 2, Funny

      No sir we don't, but accidentally, we crashed into you gmail account, and accidentally we forwarded all the porn e-mail to your mom, your perv...
      Thanks for enjoying our flightsim.

      PS: the NSA looooved some of your e-mails.

      Hugs

  11. Thanks for the youtube video by tyrant · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've never wanted to die so much after listening to the narrative. Talk about taking a long time to explain nothing.
    "Us computer people" and did you really need to read out the URLs?

  12. Re:The "bug" has been fixed??? by newr00tic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just downloaded it to try it out and nothing happens when I press the keys.

    You must be using Linux, wherein nothing is supposed to work.

    -That's what 'free' implies.
    --
    A horse can't be sick, you know, even if he wants to.