Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

Google Earth is no longer a strange software for many people, especially for travelers who want to explore lands they have never been to . With Google Earth, the vast earth is now collapsed in front of your computer screen. And in this article, Download.com.vn will guide you to "fly an airplane" to fly around and explore the world in Google Earth Pro.

Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

Instruction to fly an aircraft in Google Earth Pro

1. Download and install.

To get started, you need to download and install Google Earth Pro version for Windows or Mac.

Next open up Google Earth Pro and look at the software's interface. If the interface is in English, you should switch to Vietnamese to be easier to use with the following steps:

On the Menu bar select Tools -> Options .... 

Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

In the General tab, find the Language section and select Vietnamese language , then click OK to confirm. The software will require a reboot to apply language changes. 

Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

2. Start the flight simulator mode (Flight Simulator)

You can open the flight mode by:

  • On the Menu bar , select Tools -> Enter Flight simulator
  • On Windows press the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + a
  • On a Mac press the keyboard shortcut: ⌘ + Option + a 

Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

Parameter window of Flight Simulator appears for you to choose as follows:

  • Choose your aircraft: There are 2 types of aircraft being supported: F-16 and SR22. For those new to flight simulator, you should choose SR22. Because it has a stable speed and is easier to drive than the F-16. And for those of you who have a solid steering wheel, try driving the F-16 for a sense of speed.
  • Choose starting position: If you want to fly right at the position you are viewing on Google Earth map, select Current view. If you want to take off from under the runway, check the Airport, then select the airport you want to take off.
  • Click Start Flight to confirm the settings and enter the flight simulator.
Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro
Screen of the flight simulator

3. Flying screen

When you start flying, you will see the flight screen with the parameters displayed. The meaning of each parameter is as follows: 

Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro

(1) Speed: current speed in nautical miles

(2) Direction: the direction of the aircraft

(3) Tilt: the angle you are using to slowly rotate the plane in a new direction

(4) Vertical speed: the speed of going up or down in feet / minute

(5) Exit flight simulator: click this button to exit flight simulation mode

(6) Throttle: engine power level

(7) Steering gear: vertical axis angle of aircraft

(8) Petal: angle of the aircraft when you toss or tilt the plane

(9) Altitude rudder: angle and lift of aircraft wing

(10) Flaps and pinion indicators: where the flaps and gears are located

(11) Throw angle: angle between the position the aircraft is heading and the horizon in degrees

(12) Altitude: the number of feet above sea level in which an aircraft is flying 

4. Flight control 

  • Press the Page Up key to increase thrust and start moving the aircraft.
  • After the aircraft has moved, move the mouse down gently. When running fast enough, the aircraft will take off.
  • When the aircraft reaches a certain height, adjust to keep it balanced.
  • To change the direction, correct the itinerary or tilt it right or left, use the arrow keys. 
  • To pan around, press the arrow keys + Alt to spin slowly or + Ctrl to spin quickly.
  • Shortcuts used in simulator:
Act Keyboard shortcuts (Windows and Linux) Shortcut keys (Mac)
Move left Left arrow Left arrow
Move right Right arrow Right arrow
Move up Arrow up Arrow up
Move down Down arrow Down arrow
Rotate clockwise Shift + Left arrow Shift + Left arrow
Rotate counterclockwise Shift + Right arrow Shift + Right arrow
Rotate up Shift then click and drag down Shift + Down arrow
Turned down 

Shift + Up arrow

Shift then click and drag up

Shift + Up arrow
Turn down See the perspective of the first one Ctrl then click drag ⌘ then click and drag
Enlarge +
Zoom out - -
Zoom plus auto tilt Right click and drag up or down Ctrl then click and drag up or down
Stop the current motion Spacebar Spacebar
Reset to north facing view n n
Reset to tilt from top to bottom u u
Back to the middle of the Earth r r
Show / hide panoramic window Ctrl + m ⌥⇧⌘ + m
Guide to flying around the world with Google Earth Pro
View from above of the aircraft

At first you may have difficulty controlling this plane, but just a few times "dropped to the ground" you will progress very quickly. The most difficult stage is taking off and keeping the aircraft from losing altitude and throwing too much. Once a stable height has been reached, the aircraft will maintain its balance and stability. At this time, you can leisurely look at the land you've never been to, of course from above! 

Flight Simulator mode on Google Earth Pro provides an experience like a true game, although the graphics and details are very rudimentary. Because this is geographic software anyway. If you want to truly experience an airplane flight game, try Flight Simulator X released by Microsoft. Wish you have moments of relaxation and explore the world with the "aircraft" in Google Earth Pro. 

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