How do I use Google Earth Pro flight simulator controls?

Google Earth Pro’s built-in flight simulator uses Page Up and Page Down for thrust, the arrow keys for pitch and roll, platform-specific rudder keys, G for landing gear, brackets for flaps, comma and full stop for wheel brakes, H for the HUD and Space to pause. A mouse or joystick can steer instead.

How do I start the Google Earth Pro flight simulator?

Open the desktop version of Google Earth Pro and select Tools > Enter Flight Simulator.

1. Choose an aircraft. The SR22 is slower and easier for learning the controls; the F-16 responds more sharply and covers ground much faster.
2. Choose a starting position. Select an airport and runway for take-off practice, or Current View for an airborne sightseeing start.
3. Enable a joystick if required. Tick the joystick option only after the device has been connected and recognised by the operating system.
4. Start the flight. The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Alt+A on Windows or Linux and Command+Option+A on macOS.

Our illustrated Google Earth flight simulator walkthrough covers the launch dialogue and initial aircraft selection in more detail. For a planned sightseeing flight, the techniques in our guide to using Google Earth Pro’s mapping tools for route planning help with airport, terrain and landmark selection.

Google Earth Pro keyboard controls

These are the default flight controls; Google Earth Pro does not provide the extensive remapping system found in dedicated flight simulators.

The pitch keys catch many new users out: Up Arrow pushes the virtual control forward and lowers the nose, while Down Arrow pulls back and raises it. Press comma and full stop together for straight braking; using only one applies a differential wheel brake and turns the aircraft.

Compact keyboards may require an Fn combination to produce Page Up, Page Down, Home, End or Insert. The exact combination is set by the laptop manufacturer, not Google Earth Pro.

How does mouse flight control work?

Click once near the centre of the flight view to activate mouse steering, then move the pointer relative to the central cross. Left and right command roll; moving above the centre pushes the nose down, while moving below it pulls the nose up.

The distance from the centre determines the size of the control input. A mistake we see constantly is leaving the pointer near an edge and then fighting the resulting continuous bank or pitch. Return it close to the centre after each correction and use small movements.

How do I take off and steer?

A smooth take-off needs increasing thrust, directional control with rudder and one gentle nose-up command.

1. Set the controls near neutral. Centre the mouse cross or release the arrow keys, and retract excessive flap with [.
2. Apply thrust. Hold Page Up until the throttle is high enough for the aircraft to accelerate.
3. Track the centreline. Use small rudder inputs rather than banking the wings while still on the runway.
4. Raise the nose gently. As the aircraft gains speed, tap Down Arrow or move the mouse slightly below centre. Large inputs usually produce a stall or an immediate over-rotation.
5. Establish the climb. Ease the pitch input towards neutral and retract any take-off flap with [. Press G to retract the F-16’s landing gear; the SR22 has fixed gear, so the key has no useful effect on it.

To turn in flight, bank with left or right roll, then add a small nose-up input to stop the aircraft descending through the turn. Roll the wings level before centring the pitch input. Rudder is mainly for coordination and runway tracking, not for making the whole turn by itself.

How do I land using these controls?

Reduce thrust early, extend the required configuration and make small corrections rather than forcing the aircraft onto the runway.

1. Slow down. Use Page Down and extend flaps progressively with ].
2. Configure the gear. Press G to lower the F-16’s gear. The SR22’s gear is permanently down.
3. Control the descent. Use thrust for gradual descent-rate changes and pitch for the approach attitude. The HUD altitude is referenced to sea level, so it will not read zero at an elevated airport.
4. Flare and touch down. Reduce thrust and apply a small nose-up command just above the runway. Avoid a large pull that sends the aircraft climbing again.
5. Brake straight. Hold comma and full stop together after touchdown. Retract the flaps with [ once safely slowed.

Why are my Google Earth flight controls not responding?

Unresponsive controls usually come from using the wrong Google Earth edition, a paused flight, missing laptop keys or an uncentred controller.

• Wrong application: use the desktop Google Earth Pro application. The browser version does not provide this built-in flight simulator control set.
• Flight paused: press Space once and watch for movement in the HUD.
• Mouse not active: click inside the central flight view rather than on a menu or panel.
• Missing Page Up or Insert: use the laptop’s Fn layer or attach a full-size keyboard. Windows rudder control is particularly awkward on keyboards without Insert and a numeric keypad.
• Flap keys ignored: non-English keyboard layouts may place the bracket characters elsewhere. Confirm that the keys are producing [ and ].
• Continuous bank or pitch: centre the mouse pointer, disconnect duplicate controllers and recalibrate the joystick through the operating system.
• Joystick not detected: connect and calibrate it before opening the flight simulator dialogue, then enable the joystick option. Google Earth Pro’s controller support is basic, so keyboard commands may still be needed for flaps, gear and brakes.

If the limited controller support becomes restrictive, our guide to choosing practical PC flight-simulator controls explains when a joystick, yoke, throttle or rudder pedals are genuinely useful.