Used to use a Thrustmaster "Top Gun", with a serial plug. Thing would creak at every bank, no twist axis.
Replaced that with a Logitech 2.4 cordless, and I was damn good with it. Had a twist, throttle, nice resistance, buttons on the base. It died. I cried.
Replaced that with the HOTAS x52. Though I've managed to cram every relevant control (including 32! different targeting buttons) onto the two units, I'm still pretty lousy with it. (I play with fov at .39, so keeping targets in view isn't as easy as default). Been playing on easy for the last 3 months, cause I can't get used to the feathery stick return - I don't care if it's easier on my wrists, I want a bigger spring. I'm getting better, though; muscle memory is catching up, and every function I want is right beneath my fingers. only thing I use the keyboard for is comms, and that's because I was never satisfied with the voice recognition implementation.
Oh, and the throttle is badass. and the Base T switches (for energy management). and the hats. I even use the 'mouse stick' to adjust position when matching speed. I may suck at hitting targets, but I'm awesome at formation flying!
So yeah, I have a stick. now two. always have. Can't imagine playing without one. I won't even play mechwarrior without one, although I admit it's a lot easier to get precision hits with mouse/keyboard in the MW series. But I don't care! Long live PC gaming!