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.
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.
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
One bit of advice: Don’t expect to be able to change aircraft mid-air like in other simulators. Get on the ground and then switch. I found the planes to be uncontrollable unless I swapped on the ground.
Other than that, it’s a fun diversion. 🙂
Also, if you want a quick and nimble jet, don’t bother with the Sukhoi. It’s still got some issues. I’d go with the Dornier/Alfa jet.
Wow…they even added the A380. Now that the 787 Dreamliner has made its maiden flight maybe it would be nice to add that as well.
And I also agree with the user posted above…an Alpha Jet would be awesome!
Hello im not able to get this loaded up. Im running FF 5 with GE plugin..help?
Wow those are some major improvements! When I last played GE flight simulator I don’t even think I got a plane, you where just flying.
Wow this simulator is good, maybe they can add concorde to it :))
Great simulator! What a “spike” in fun to fly over you hometown and recognizing everything… real scenery!
AVOID Proflightsimulator.com.
They do not support their product and will not return e-mails regarding technical support. I have been trying to get my $49.00 back from them for over three weeks without getting a single reply to my dozens of e-mail message.
In my opinion, this company is an internet rip-off!
Richard Sapp
Great simulator please please add boeing 747-8
add the passenger 747-8
Where is the intercontinental Boeing 747-8 you can’t call this a simulator without it.
can anyone add the passenger version of the boeing 747-8 in its prototype livery
SPACE SHUTTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is just one thing I want you to do I just want to fly the passenger boeing 747-8 in its red and white prototype livery like all these other users are saying and try to add a space shuttle too
they should add boeing 747-8i in its prototype livery
add the new boeing 747-8 in the livery shown at this link.
http://thepop.wikispaces.com/747
add it so it looks like the one in the picture.