Flying Archives

October 26, 2011

The "GE Flight Simulator" gets some solid improvements

Late last year we showed you Xavier Tassin's Google Earth Flight Simulator, which is a very well-built flight simulator that is powered by the Google Earth Plug-in.

1.jpg

The site has seen solid growth over the past year, and now over 70,000 users visit each month, with 40 to 50 users connected at most times.

The latest version (.07) includes some nice upgrades:

• 10 aircraft: from the Piper Cub to the A380, through Douglas DC3 and Sukhoi Su-35, helicopters and hot air balloon.
• A map rendering over 30,000 runways to take off from and DAFIF airspace charts (using Google Fusion Table and Google Maps)
• Real time, local weather conditions (Cloud coverage, wind speed), wind lift on relief.
• In-game chat
• Time slider to select current time of the day.
• Improved physics, animations, flight models, instruments and multiplayer
• Improved user interface, fine control settings, saved preference

This is another great example of why it's so great to build games using the Google Earth Plug-in -- Xavier has certainly made some great enhancements, but there has also been thousands of new 3D buildings (and 3D trees) added to Google Earth in the past year, making it even better!

You can try it for yourself at ge-flightsimulator.com or check out a few more beautiful screenshots below.

2.jpg
3.jpg
4.jpg


Posted by mickmel at 6:46 AM | Comments (8)

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October 20, 2011

Tweaking the Google Earth Flight Simulator

It's been more than four years since Google first added the flight simulator to Google Earth, and it remains one of the most popular features in Google Earth. As the quality of Google Earth's imagery, terrain and 3D buildings have improved over the years, it's helped make the flight simulator experience even better.

flight-sim.jpg

However, that wasn't enough for user 'that1anonymousdude'. He's created a file that will modify your flight sim and let you turn the speed up really high. Using his mod, you can fly up to around 100,000 knots, while keeping solid control, and even fly up into space. It's quite cool. Here's a video of it in action:

His program modifies the flight sim config files to allow you to reach these crazy speeds (it doesn't actually modify the actual Google Earth software). He's released the source code so you can see how it works, and I've scanned it to verify there are no viruses or anything in it. However, always use caution when loading a third-party executable file on your computer.

To learn more about it and to try it for yourself, visit this thread in the Google Earth Hacks forums.


Posted by mickmel at 7:23 AM | Comments (3)

September 29, 2011

Tips to make the Google Earth Flight Simulator easier to use

Alan Huestis writes the Google Earth Flight Sim blog, as he is a big fan of that feature in Google Earth (learn more about the Google Earth flight simulator). Like many of you, he purchased a joystick (the Logitech Attack 3) to help make the sim feel more realistic, but he wasn't happy with the button mapping. To solve that, he re-wrote the joystick.ini file to make it easier to use.

logitech-attack-3.jpg

Here are the changes he made:

  • I use the original code to handle joystick movement (back and forward, side to side) and to handle the throttle.
  • I have four keys on the top, and I use the side keys to move the rudder in 20% increments. The centre key returns the rudder to centre, and the top key just pauses the action so I can answer the phone. On the small plane I do not usually use the rudder but on the jet there is much more need of rudder as one can't turn much by just banking.
  • I have two buttons on the left side of the base and I use them to increase the flaps by 20% and decrease the flaps by 20%.
  • There are two buttons at the rear of the base and I have mapped them to the left and right brakes. On the small plane one can steer on the ground with the brakes, and even turn around on a runway and take off again. The brakes do not seem to slow the jet much and I often overshoot a runway even though I am safely down.
  • There are two buttons on the right side of the base and I have used those to control attitude but I rarely use them in flight.
  • I have mapped the trigger key to change the view. In normal flight we look out over the nose and we see the instrument display. When I pull the trigger the instrument display disappears and the view angle changes to downwards and slightly forward. I usually fly the small plane, and with full flaps and half throttle, flying at about 500 feet, and with the trigger depressed it seems like I am an eagle soaring over familiar landscapes. The effect is just magical. At that airspeed I can still maneuver and climb slightly, but it is slow enough that the earth beneath me does not blur.


Here is the .ini file that Alan wrote to work with his joystick, named "Logitech_Attack3.ini":

controllers_supported = [
Controller('*Logitech*Attack*3*', 11, 11, 3, 3)
]

button_press = [
B0 set(VAngle, -0.35)
B1 set(DR, 0)
B1 set(dDR, 0)
B2 toggle(TotalFreeze)
B3 set(dDR, -0.8)
B4 set(dDR, +0.8)
B5 add(DF, -0.2, 0, 1)
B6 add(DF, 0.2, 0, 1)
B7 set(DB_0, 1)
B8 set(DB_1, 1)
]

button_release = [
B0 set(VAngle, 0)
B3 set(dDR, 0)
B4 set(dDR, 0)
B7 set(DB_0, 0)
B8 set(DB_1, 0)
]

axes = [
A0 set(DA, 1.0, 0.0)
A1 set(DE, 1.0, 0.0)
A2 set(DP_0, -0.5, 0.5)
]

povs = [
]

In his case, the file is located here:
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Earth\client\res\flightsim\controller

Simply replace that file with the contents above (after you back it up, of course) to be able to use his settings. If you tinker with the file and can improve it further, please let us know.

Great work, Alan!


Posted by mickmel at 7:56 AM | Comments (1)

September 15, 2011

Google Earth Explorer: A fun way to fly through Google Earth

Paul van Dinther is at it again, with another great Google Earth script for us to play with. You'll remember Paul from fun projects he's built such as Ships, Helicopters, and Drive the A-Team Van.

He's now developed GExplorer, a fun way to fly through Google Earth. It's a physics based 3D view controller that allows precise and smooth control of the camera. It does this by combining keyboard and mouse input. Camera movement is in 6 degrees of freedom meaning you can look anywhere and go anywhere. It takes some getting used to, but works amazingly well.

It feels a bit like the controls in a first-person shooter, where you move around with the keyboard and control your view with the mouse. The feeling of smoothly gliding over the mountains as you fly around Google Earth is quite amazing.

Here's a video showing it in action:

You can try it for yourself over on his site. Google has recently purchased GExplorer from Paul for the express purpose of making it open source. If you'd like to integrate it with a project of yours, head over to Google's GExplorer project page to get more information.


Posted by mickmel at 7:19 AM | Comments (3)

August 2, 2011

The Kansas airspace awareness tool

Back in February, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced its new Airspace Awareness tool, which they recently launched.

The software, funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, allows pilots to visualize data that is normally only presented in 2D charts or apps, rather than the 3D data available here.

airspace.jpg

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, there were more than 2,000 airspace analyses performed in Kansas in 2010, some of which resulted in conflicts with local airspace. With this application in place, the system will alert users to contact the FAA in the event of any potential aispace conflicts with tall structures, such as wind turbines.

As of right now, Kansas is the only state with this kind of system in place, but if things go well I expect we'll see other states introduce similar applications in the near future.

(via @ManoMarks)


Posted by mickmel at 8:15 AM | Comments (0)

More entries for this category:

  1. Tracking the Space Shuttle in Google Earth - July 15, 2011
  2. Play Touristo and Skydiver; very impressive games using the Google Earth Plug-in - June 15, 2011
  3. Tracking the new Boeing 747-8 - April 7, 2011
  4. Kite Photos of Tikehau Island Now in Google Earth - January 31, 2011
  5. Track Santa's journey in Google Earth - December 24, 2010
  6. Skydiving in Google Earth - December 14, 2010
  7. Take your own aerial photos with the Swinglet CAM - November 30, 2010
  8. An excellent flight simulator for Google Earth - November 10, 2010
  9. Build your own Liquid Galaxy - October 1, 2010
  10. A new gaming platform for Google Earth - September 24, 2010
  11. Excellent flight-tracking layer from FlightWise - September 17, 2010
  12. Space Shuttle Atlantis over the Canary Islands - June 4, 2010
  13. Simulating Iron Man with Google Earth - June 1, 2010
  14. Helicopers has been released! - May 19, 2010
  15. Real-time 3D air traffic - May 5, 2010
  16. Amazing tour of the 1977 Tenerife Airport disaster - April 29, 2010
  17. "Helicopters" is looking pretty cool - April 5, 2010
  18. A Google Earth flight sim with an iPhone controller - March 16, 2010
  19. Playing games in Google Earth - March 9, 2010
  20. The Scariest Airports in the Caribbean - February 26, 2010
  21. Links: Google I/O 2010, The Spaceport Field Guide, Chula Vista in 3D - February 18, 2010
  22. Google Earth in Microsoft Flight Simulator - February 5, 2010
  23. Revisiting the SpaceNavigator - January 13, 2010
  24. Take a virtual helicopter tour with the Google Earth Plug-in - December 14, 2009
  25. Links: Audi A8 with Google Earth, Liquid Galaxy, Deer Hunting, StreetView in the snow - December 10, 2009
  26. My Kite Photos in Google Earth/Maps - November 25, 2009
  27. A closer look at Africa - October 28, 2009
  28. 3D plane in flight in 3D Buildings layer - October 26, 2009
  29. Links: Race My Race, Random Hacks of Kindness, WorldView-2 - October 13, 2009
  30. Google Earth 5.1 Really Improved - September 11, 2009
  31. Links: Picasa Street View, Cool Screen, ArcExplorer Earth, SketchUp Podium Prize - August 17, 2009
  32. Planes For Google Earth Flight Simulator - August 11, 2009
  33. Amazing Find Returns to Google Earth: Lancaster Bomber - July 28, 2009
  34. Memorial to UTA Flight 772 Visible from Space - June 16, 2009
  35. Air France Flight 447 - Google Earth Map - June 9, 2009
  36. 3D Flight Tracking in Netherlands with Google Earth - May 28, 2009
  37. Fantastic Free Google Earth Game: Ships - May 18, 2009
  38. The U-2 Incident in Google Earth - May 5, 2009
  39. Swiss Fighter Video Synched - GE 5 Style - April 26, 2009
  40. Heli-Ski Tour in Google Earth - March 12, 2009
  41. Google Earth 5 Tour Roundup - February 26, 2009
  42. Google Earth 5 Cool Tip: Flight Simulator in Ocean or Mars - February 25, 2009
  43. This Google Earth File Could Make you Sick - February 20, 2009
  44. Jimmy Buffet Helps Announce Google Earth 5 - February 5, 2009
  45. Links: New GE Help Forums, DC-3 Weather Vane, NYC GE Visitor Center, Virtual Alabama Video, 360Cities Embed - January 22, 2009
  46. Fly Flight 1549 Yourself in Google Earth - January 21, 2009
  47. U-2 Spyplane Caught in Flight in Google Earth - January 5, 2009
  48. Watch Santa Claus Make his Deliveries - December 24, 2008
  49. Planes on Poles in Google Earth (plus an extra feature) - December 12, 2008
  50. Location of Steve Fossett Remains Reportedly Found - October 31, 2008
  51. WikiSailing - Flying/Sailing Sightseeing Tours in Google Earth - October 29, 2008
  52. Paragliding Simulator with Google Earth Plugin - October 23, 2008
  53. Links: Planet Search, Interactive KML, FlightSim, iPhone GPS - October 21, 2008
  54. Links: Panoramio Heat Maps, See Russia?, 1m LiDAR, Airship - October 13, 2008
  55. Location of Plane Wreck of Steve Fossett - October 2, 2008
  56. Steve Fossett Items Found Near Mammoth Lakes - October 1, 2008
  57. New Virtual Earth with 3D Clouds - September 25, 2008
  58. Links: Hurricane Ike, GeoEye Launched, Aviation Maps, McClendon in Kansas - September 8, 2008
  59. Follow a Book, Check Aeronautical Charts in Google Earth Plugin - July 31, 2008
  60. More Add-ons for Google Earth Flight Simulator - July 28, 2008
  61. Notes from the Bahamas: GE in Education, AGE More KML, Disney 3D - June 26, 2008
  62. Links: Big Dog, Plugins, Smoke, Stonehenge, SketchUp Camp, Kenya - June 13, 2008
  63. PictEarth Flies UAV with N95 Over WhereCamp - May 20, 2008
  64. Mike's Flying Bike for Google Earth - May 16, 2008
  65. Google Earth for Pilots - April 29, 2008
  66. How to Get 3D Buildings in Google Earth - April 24, 2008
  67. Links: SR22 Cockpit, Jane Austen, Magnetic Pole, Taiwan GE Bonanza, Tutorial, VE3D on Mac - March 17, 2008
  68. YouTube API on Swiss Fighter Video - March 14, 2008
  69. F-16 Cockpit Add-on For Google Earth Flight Sim - February 8, 2008
  70. Cool US Flights Visualization in Google Earth - February 7, 2008
  71. Guys Fly Balloon to 30 km Altitude - See it in Google Earth - January 25, 2008
  72. Major Geek Cred - January 17, 2008
  73. Tracking Flights in Google Earth - January 11, 2008
  74. Missed Opportunity - It's a Sign - January 9, 2008
  75. Top 25 Stories of Google Earth 2007 - December 27, 2007
  76. Astronaut Mode For Google Earth - December 18, 2007
  77. Two Old Planes Caught Close Up in Google Earth - December 9, 2007
  78. Google Earth and Santa Claus - December 7, 2007
  79. Links: Tracking Santa, Netherland Statistics, Boat Parades, OpenAerialMap - December 3, 2007
  80. News and Links - Out of Beta, Crysis, Our Dumb World, Visual ILS - November 30, 2007
  81. X PRIZE Cup Photos Mapped - November 1, 2007
  82. Trip Status, Links: PhotoOverlay tool, CIA World Factbook, Another BMNG - October 29, 2007
  83. Links: Glider Towing, 3D Bonanza, John Hanke Presentation, Google Maps Profiles, Virtual Earth 3D Modeling - October 19, 2007
  84. 2007 Wirefly X PRIZE Cup - October 8, 2007
  85. 3D Red Bull Flights in Google Earth - September 21, 2007
  86. Burning Man 2007 in Google Earth - September 18, 2007
  87. New DigitalGlobe Imagery for Steve Fossett Search - September 13, 2007
  88. Back to School - Educational Uses with Google Earth - September 11, 2007
  89. News Roundup: Flight Sim Tips, Clouds and Weather, KML 2.2, Google Solar Panels, Pollution - September 10, 2007
  90. Help Find Steve Fossett with Google Earth - September 9, 2007
  91. Flight Simulator HUD Display Guide, and an Advanced Tip - September 6, 2007
  92. Get Inside a Helicopter in Google Earth - September 5, 2007
  93. News Roundup: Flight Simulator Goodies, PhotoViewer Stuff, Video tourism - September 4, 2007
  94. Video for Flying with Google Earth Flight Simulator - September 3, 2007
  95. Flight Simulator Mode in Google Earth 4.2 - August 31, 2007
  96. Google Earth 4.2 Roundup - August 27, 2007
  97. R/C Planes and Camera Fun with Google Earth - August 12, 2007
  98. Biography of Neil Armstrong in Google Earth - August 6, 2007
  99. News Roundup: Panoramio 2 Million, Geographic Web, Loop the Loop, Starbucks, Bug in GE - June 28, 2007
  100. Pict'Earth - UAV Aerial Photography Solutions - June 19, 2007
  101. ChartGeek - Sectional Maps for Pilots in Google Earth - May 28, 2007
  102. Plane-shaped Pools in Google Earth - April 28, 2007
  103. Stephen Hawking Flies in Zero G - April 27, 2007
  104. News Roundup - Fixes for Windows Vista, Airshows, FBOWeb update, Photos with Search - March 19, 2007
  105. Meigs Field - Preserved in Google Earth - March 15, 2007
  106. Nine Planes in Formation - Faked in the Google Earth Database! - March 13, 2007
  107. NOT a Cruise Missile in Flight Over Utah - March 4, 2007
  108. Swiss Alps "Fighter" Tour in Google Earth - March 1, 2007
  109. SpaceNavigator News: Fly Inside Demo, Security Checkpoints - February 22, 2007
  110. Planes in Flight Hobby - February 13, 2007
  111. Sydney Aerial Photo Shoot - January 26, 2007
  112. Play Tour Mode in Google Earth - January 10, 2007
  113. New Imagery Update for the Holidays - Awesome! - December 17, 2006
  114. Santa's Toy Hunt and Santa Tracker in Google Earth - December 13, 2006
  115. News Roundup - Animated 3D, EmerGeo, Altered Oceans, Virtual Airlines - October 29, 2006
  116. Geotagged Photos from X PRIZE Cup, GPS Track too - October 25, 2006
  117. Flight Back from Las Cruces in Google Earth - October 23, 2006
  118. Same Day Aerial Photo in Google Earth - October 21, 2006
  119. Trip Report and News Roundup: Flight to Las Cruces, Sensors, BBC on Maps, New blog - October 18, 2006
  120. Flight of Space Ship One Depicted in Google Earth - October 12, 2006
  121. Plane Crashed into Building in New York - See Location in Google Earth - October 11, 2006
  122. Burning Man 2006 in Google Earth - October 3, 2006
  123. Take Flight Sim Scenery and Port it to Google Earth - September 28, 2006
  124. Google Earth as a "Flight Simulator" - September 15, 2006
  125. 3D 747 Airliner on Approach at Maho Beach in Google Earth - August 25, 2006
  126. Salute to the An-2 in Google Earth - August 10, 2006
  127. Goggles - Google Maps Flight Simulator, Also: Google Earth Flying - August 8, 2006
  128. FSEarth 3.0 - MS Flight Simulator and Google Earth - July 8, 2006
  129. Aeronautical Information System - June 26, 2006
  130. KC-135 Caught Refueling C-5 Galaxy in Mid-Air in Google Earth! - June 25, 2006
  131. Sightseeing Roundup for Google Earth - May 2, 2006
  132. Go Flying - Flight Tracklogs for Google Earth - April 30, 2006
  133. Tribute to 'Connie' in Google Earth - April 9, 2006
  134. FSEarth - MS Flight Simulator 2004 and Google Earth - April 6, 2006
  135. Maldives Island Group in High Res - March 24, 2006
  136. Flyagogo - A Pilot Google Maps Mashup (with GE tie-in) - March 23, 2006
  137. GlobalFlyer Attempting Third World Record - March 15, 2006
  138. Identifying Planes in Google Earth - March 1, 2006
  139. FSPilot Connects FS2004 to Google Earth - February 26, 2006
  140. Touch and Gos - February 22, 2006
  141. Follow Steve Fossett/Global Flyer in Google Earth - February 9, 2006
  142. Pilot World-wide Weather in Google Earth - February 8, 2006
  143. Gliders "Crashing" in Google Earth - February 3, 2006
  144. Flying Car? Not Really - January 23, 2006
  145. 3D Planes for Flight Tracking in Google Earth - January 19, 2006
  146. FBOWeb Flight Tracking Revisited - January 11, 2006
  147. Lancaster Bomber Caught Flying in Google Earth - January 10, 2006
  148. Slick Airfare Tool for Google Earth - December 16, 2005
  149. Planes in Flight in Google Earth (revisited) - December 6, 2005
  150. Near Real-time Flight Tracking in Google Earth - December 2, 2005
  151. The Ubiquitous DC-3 Found in Google Earth - November 23, 2005
  152. UFO Sighting Locations in Google Earth - November 4, 2005
  153. Magnalox - GPS Story Telling for Google Earth - October 19, 2005
  154. Huge Resource of 3D Glider Tracks for Google Earth - October 12, 2005
  155. Categorized African Animals in Google Earth - October 11, 2005
  156. Documenting a Recent Flying Trip - October 9, 2005
  157. Garmin Buys MotionBased - October 4, 2005
  158. Update to Planes in Flight Story - September 23, 2005
  159. Planes in Flight Captured in Google Earth - September 21, 2005
  160. MS Flight Simulator Interface - September 1, 2005
  161. Flying - Keeping a Flight Log - August 5, 2005
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