Flying with Google Earth Flight Simulator

Flying with Google Earth Flight Simulator

Grade Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Time Required: 1-2 class periods (45-60 minutes each)

Objective

Students will use the Google Earth Flight Simulator to explore aviation basics, geography, and navigation. They will learn how to take off, fly, and land a virtual aircraft using real-world flight principles and simulator controls.

Materials Needed

• Computers with Google Earth (desktop version) installed

• Internet access

• Student handout with flight controls and a flight log worksheet

• Headphones (optional)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (15-20 min)

Engage

• Ask students: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a pilot?

• Show a brief video of real cockpit footage or a pilot explaining how airplanes navigate.

• Explain that Google Earth’s Flight Simulator lets users experience flying in a simplified way.

Explain

• Two aircraft options:

  1. SR22 (easier to control, great for beginners)

  2. F-16 Viper (faster, more advanced controls)

• How to access the Flight Simulator:

  1. Open Google Earth.

  2. Click on Tools → Enter Flight Simulator (or press Ctrl + Alt + A).

  3. Select an aircraft and an airport.

2. Hands-on Flight Simulation (25-30 min)

Step 1: Taking Off

1. Start the engine & throttle up: Press Page Up to increase throttle.

2. Control the rudder for balance: Use comma ( , ) and period ( . ) to stay centered on the runway.

3. Gain enough speed: Watch the airspeed indicator (need ~70 knots for the SR22).

4. Pull up gently: Press Arrow Down to lift off.

5. Adjust throttle & stabilize: Reduce throttle slightly with Page Down after takeoff.

6. Retract landing gear (if using F-16): Press G to pull up landing gear.

Step 2: Basic Flight Maneuvers

• Pitch (nose up/down):

  • Press Arrow Up to descend.

  • Press Arrow Down to climb.

• Roll (tilt left/right):

  • Press Arrow Left to roll left.

  • Press Arrow Right to roll right.

• Yaw (turning without rolling):

  • Use comma ( , ) to yaw left.

  • Use period ( . ) to yaw right.

• Throttle control:

  • Increase speed: Press Page Up.

  • Decrease speed: Press Page Down.

Step 3: Landing the Plane

1. Reduce speed before landing: Press Page Down to decrease throttle.

2. Align with the runway: Use Arrow Keys to adjust approach.

3. Lower landing gear (if F-16): Press G.

4. Gently descend: Press Arrow Up slightly.

5. Touch down smoothly: Reduce throttle to zero upon landing.

6. Apply brakes: Press B to slow down.

3. Application and Discussion (15-20 min)

• Students record their flight details using the Flight Log Worksheet:

  1. Departure Airport

  2. Destination

  3. Altitude Reached

  4. Landmarks Seen

  5. Challenges Encountered

• Class Discussion:

  1. What was the hardest part of flying the plane?

  2. How did you use the map for navigation?

  3. How does this simulator compare to real-world flying?

Assessment & Extensions

✅ Assessment:

• Students successfully take off, maneuver, and land the aircraft.

• Completed flight logs with observations and key takeaways.

🚀 Extensions:

• Challenge students to fly over famous landmarks (Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, etc.).

• Introduce wind resistance, lift, and navigation concepts.

• Students create a flight plan on Google Maps before flying it in the simulator.

Conclusion

By the end of this lesson, students will have experienced virtual flying, learned basic aviation principles, and explored navigation using real-world geography.