Google recently announced that it will open the "flight simulator" function previously hidden in the desktop version of Google Earth to more users in the form of a web version. Users can experience virtual flights directly in the browser without downloading or installing any applications.
A relatively "hidden" flight simulator mode has been built into Google Earth desktop since 2007, and is now integrated into the Google Earth website with a more intuitive and accessible entrance. Users only need to open the Google Earth official website and click the "Explore Earth" button near the upper right corner of the page to enter the main experience interface. Then, in the Tools column of the menu bar at the top of the site, the last option is "Flight Simulator" mode.
Before starting a flight, Google recommends that users choose an area with enough attractions to explore, because the default loaded location may appear on a featureless sea, affecting the experience. Additionally, users should switch Google Earth's basemap type from "Map" to "Satellite" for more photorealistic visuals that are closer to the real world.
Google also provides a dedicated help page that details how to control the aircraft through the keyboard or mouse, including basic operations such as pitch, roll, thrust, and perspective switching. Although this flight simulator is not as complex and realistic as professional-level games such as "Microsoft Flight Simulator", it still takes a certain amount of time to practice in order to stably control the aircraft's course and avoid stalling or crashing. If you accidentally make a "hard landing" with terrain during flight, the simulator will automatically pause and give you the option to reset the aircraft to a safe altitude, allowing users to quickly take off again.
Google has also released an introductory video on YouTube to show the actual operation and landscape effects of the web version of the Google Earth flight simulator to help new users get started quickly. With this update, Flight Simulator transforms from a niche hidden feature into an online experience that any browser user can easily try, providing a more intuitive and fun way to virtual tour and learn geography.