No, what was on the Google Earth Blog earlier is "just" about using a different controller (e.g. gamepad) to navigate in Google Earth. The new release includes a (primitive) head-up-display, and tries to resemble more airplane-like controls (e.g. thrust, rudders, flaps).

It even supports force feedback (gamepad rumbles if You crash into the ground).

I feel like you guys are trying to play a prank on me.... no matter how long I mess around in the sky view, I can't get it to happen......

What's the trick?

I was trying to start the game when I figured out a nice bug

I was having few locations in my temp places.
While playing a tour (tools > play tour), its showed my places of earth in the sky :)

Still trying to start the game though

Check out this video on Flight Simulator:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7z6Yxs69rQ

travis Ctrl+alt+a.

AH AH!! Finally, after 30 minutes, I was able to fly under the Eiffel Tower!
Well, I crashed 20 seconds later but I did it :)

I can't fluy it at all. I'm crap.

Awesome. but hard to control...

Yeah.... I got the Control+alt+a part.....

but I can't seem to get that to work.... it seems that most people say you have to be browsing for a while first, but I have tried browsing for probably over an hour.... still no go

what exactly is the problem? screenshot?

Very nice

<<it seems that most people say you have to be browsing for a while first, but I have tried browsing for probably over an hour>>

I just opened it, clicked the globe and did CTRL+ALT+A. It didn't work first time but I did it fast and it worked the second time.

Also it didn't work for me 3 times. I closed and opened it a few times then it worked. I assure you its not a trick

I just opened it, clicked the globe and did STRG (CTRL)+ALT+A and it worked!

http://earth.google.com/intl/en/userguide/v4/flightsim/index.html Check that, all the keys are here. But the arrengement of the keys is as complex as an instrument panel of a real plane.

Wow, it's great! I like it... I want a cockpit now :)

haha neato

Travis, don't do the easter egg in sky mode. Do it in regular mode.

Too bad I can't enter the flight simulator on my Mac Book pro...i guess it has unsupported hardware

Neat! Now I just want some bombs, missiles, and a machine gun for strafing! :D

Mysterius: But they'll add a line to the TAC first:

"Our flight simulator should not be used to test, plan, follow or anyway cooperate with any terrorist plot. Machine guns actually don't shoot. Bombs and missiles' explosives not included. Fly safe (and far far away from government buildings) and don't be evil."
And maybe:
"The flight simulator's weapons availability depends on your geographic location. Due to government pressure, we can't bring weapons of massive destruction (WoMD) to you if you leave in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, or any other suspect country (from now on, 'the evil ones')."
...

Enter "Lilienthal" in the fly-to box works too.

A lot of videos are here

http://www.googleflightsimulator.net/category/google-earth-flight-simulator-videos/