> [!WARNING] > This product or feature is Experimental (pre-GA). Pre-GA products and features might have limited support, and changes to pre-GA products and features might not be compatible with other pre-GA versions. Pre-GA Offerings are covered by the [Google > Maps Platform Service Specific Terms](https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms/maps-service-terms). For more information, see the [launch stage descriptions](https://developers.google.com/maps/launch-stages.md.txt).
Use keyboard shortcuts to explore the world in a flight simulator. ## Flight simulator requirements While the flight simulator is designed to provide an immersive flying experience, the following limitations apply: - **Web only:** The flight simulator is only available on Google Earth on web (not supported on mobile devices or in the Google Earth mobile app). - **Simplified flight physics:** The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training. - **Dynamic loading:** As you fly, 3D buildings and high-resolution imagery stream in dynamically. Flying at extreme speeds or over low-bandwidth connections may result in temporary loading delays. ## Start a flight To launch the flight simulator, do the following: 1. On your computer, open [Google Earth](https://earth.google.com/). 2. At the top of the home screen, click  **Explore Earth**. 3. Open the **Tools** menu in the top menu bar. 4. Select **Flight simulator** from the menu. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** By default, the flight simulator displays the abstract basemap without terrain. To view photorealistic satellite imagery, change the basemap type from **Map** to **Satellite**. ## Flight controls and navigation Use the following keyboard shortcuts to control your aircraft. | Action | Keyboard control | Description | |---|---|---| | Increase thrust | Page up or click on-screen indicator | Accelerates the aircraft's engine speed | | Decrease thrust | Page down or click on-screen indicator | Decelerates the aircraft's engine speed | | Pitch down (dive) | Down arrow | Directs the nose of the plane downward to decrease altitude | | Pitch up (climb) | Up arrow | Directs the nose of the plane upward to gain altitude | | Roll left (bank) | Left arrow | Banks the aircraft to the left | | Roll right (bank) | Right arrow | Banks the aircraft to the right | | Toggle mouse controls | Click inside simulation | Alternates between mouse-guided flight controls and keyboard controls | ## Crash recovery If your aircraft makes direct impact with the ground terrain, the simulation will pause. Click **You crashed! Restart** to instantly restore your aircraft at a safe, playable altitude and coordinates. ## Exit simulator Click the back arrow in the upper-left corner of the flight simulator to safely exit the simulation and return to the standard Google Earth map view. ## Known issues - **Terrain anomalies:** When flying near ground level in regions below sea level (for example, Badwater Basin in California), you may experience occasional flashing or clipping. - **Overlapping controls:** Standard map shortcut keys (such as historical imagery toggles) are deactivated during flight to avoid conflicting with flight controls.