14 DAY TRIAL // The new version of Google Earth includes lots of hidden functions which were not introduced by the parent company to the Internet users. Since it was released, the fans of the downloadable mapping tool discovered all sorts of secret features starting with new placemark icons and ending with Flight Simulator. This last one is quite a very attractive ability for many of you but you're probably wondering why Google decided to hide it instead of announcing it to attract more users. Well, Gerhard Wesp, Software Engineer, Google Earth, offers a simple answer to this question.
"Well, we know that discovery is what Google Earth is all about, and you've proven yourselves quite adept at finding the unexpected. We knew it would only be a matter of time before you happened upon this new, enjoyable way to appreciate the spectacular scenery in Google Earth," he said.
If you didn't hear about it yet, the Google Flight Simulator is a new function implemented in Google Earth that allows you to fly using a plane over the panoramas offered by the downloadable mapping tool. Obviously, it provides a different perspective over the Google Earth imagery but it is really amazing.
The main goal of the function is to put you in the chair of a plane pilot and allow you to fly over a selected location loaded by Google Earth. You're even able to choose from two planes, F16 and SR22, in order to enhance your flying experience. Sort of... If you want to access this special Google Earth function, you should press Ctrl + Alt + A in Google Earth for Windows or Cmd + Option + A in the Mac flavor of the application.
And here's a tip: try controlling the plane using your mouse or a joystick rather than moving it with a keyboard because you might crash and there's no fun at all.