I don't know if anyone else heard about this, but the new version released this week of Google Earth has a "hidden" flight simulator in it. If you press Ctrl-A (that's what worked for me in Windows; they say it should be Ctrl-Alt-A), a window pops up where you can choose the plane you want to fly and where to start, and off you go.
Flight Simulator in Google Earth Controlling with the keyboard is a little difficult (probably also because I know nothing about airplane controls :p ), but it seems it works with a joystick also. You get to see the aerial view just as the regular Google Earth, and even the 3D buildings.
Just a warning: if you are looking at a close view, straight down on the aerial view, don't choose to start the simulator at the current view.
Your plane WILL crash almost instantly.
malu
