Flight in Hornet wasn't that bad. The problem was the heinous mission design... You'd need to escort something, but would start off in the hangar on the ramp... ... ... While your craft to escort was already on the runway taking off!!!
Korea Gold was much more refined, and things like that weren't an issue. However, 2.0 was by far the best as far as complexity vs. fun goes.
...I might venture to say that Hornet was never in the same league as Falcon or the other crazy-awesome flight sims - there's much more intensive stuff out there. However, before we go too far off topic...
I am curious about one thing on the Mk. II though: Why are stations 2 & 3 where the undercairrage should be? How will this work once complex landings are implemented?