Google Earth is a powerful graphics program on the internet. Using high resolution satellite photography and topographical studies of Earth, it allows you to explore a virtual globe. You can move around in lightning-fast realtime to any point on Earth and zoom in for astonishing views. Don't feel that you got a good appreciation for the devastation caused by the Mt. St. Helens' eruption? "Fly" around it in simulated 3D in Google Earth for a totally new perspective. Traveling to the Grand Canyon for vacation? Study it in detail from any angle imaginable before making your real trip.

Pilots will really enjoy the ability to study the geography that can be expected on cross-country flights. And the excellent photography means that visits to new airports can be made right on the computer. In addition to being a serious tool, Google Earth is a wonderful educational toy.

How do I install Google Earth?

Installation involves downloading the Google Earth software and running the automatic installation procedure. With a high-speed connection, this takes 3-4 minutes. It is very easy to do. If you don't already have Google Earth on your computer, click here to download and install it now. Google Earth is free.

How do I use it?

FlightCentral.net provides a blue button in the Airport and Flight Planning pages that automatically access Google Earth with the appropriate data needed for the area you are interested in. But before you do this, you must have Google Earth installed on your computer.

Once FlightCentral.net has started Google Earth for you, control is all up to you. In the view, you will see that your mouse cursor has turned into a hand. Click and hold to cause the hand to "grab". Then, drag the earth wherever you wish. There is also a set of transparent controls in the upper right of the screen. These allow you to move the view up, down, left, and right, as well as tilt and zoom it. Double click on an arrowhead in the control to start a steady movement in the arrowhead's direction.

Mouse Controls

Click - causes the hand to grab. In this state, the earth can be dragged.

Double click - automatically zooms the view in to the location under the hand.

Scroll wheel - zooms the view in and out.

Onscreen Controls

Top horizontal slider - tilts the view. This is used to give you a pilot's eye perspective and makes it easier to distinguish the 3D topography.

Side vertical slider - zooms the view.

Joystick - a star-shaped control in the center allows you to pan in any direction by dragging the control with your mouse.

Arrowheads - move in the appropriate direction. Double click to start automatic panning.

Compass rose - rotate this to turn the viewing perspective in azimuth.

Notes for Pilots

In the airport view, don't overlook tilting the view for a better perspective.

In the state view, airports are color coded to indicate flight rules.
Green = VFR   Yellow = MVFR    Red = IFR     White = No Wx Reported
And be aware that you can click on any airport's pointer to see the current METAR.

In the planning view, the default is to show the entire course. You can double click at the departure and destination airports, as well as any point along the course line, to recenter your position. Then scroll or zoom in for a closer look.