Thrustmaster T. Flight Stick X
Although this is a problem and one that the Thrustmaster support could not get resolved to be able to use only the joystick to play the game you can easily use the controller in conjunction with the SIXAXIS controller. The problem is only when you start a mission and pausing the game and switching controllers is quite easy to do so it is not that big a deal. This is the only problem I have encountered with the T. Flight Stick X and for a simple plug and play controller that costs less than $30 this is easily acceptable.
The joystick works great while playing Blazing Angels and does a great job with all the buttons and controls in game and responds very well. The controller does not feel cheap at all and is very comfortable with a good contour that feels natural. I really like the rest for your hand that helps reduce fatigue and allows for a more comfortable gaming experience.
Using the T. Flight Stick X for the PC is also very easy and having the ability to change the controller assignments may not be as important as the PS3 but it is still nice. There have been games in the past that having the ability to change the controller assignments without going through the game or even Windows was a better way to play the game and control your aircraft.
The controls work well for games I played like Attack on Pearl Harbor and Flight Sim X and reassigning controls is just as easy as the PS3 remapping. The flight stick works very well for games like MechWarrior 4 as well as flying games and remapping the controls through the program or using the remapping key and doing it onboard with the controller worked equally as well.
The T. Flight Stick X not only has the unique PC and PlayStation 3 compatibility but the rudder twist can be locked so the stick does not twist at all. A small screw on the handle can be turned a quarter turn to lock or unlock the twist and not allow the Z axis to be used.
Overall the T. Flight Stick X from Thrustmaster is a really good joystick for both the PC and the PlayStation 3 and the only problem I found was the starting of engines in Blazing Angels for the PS3. At a very low cost of under $30 I highly recommend the T. Flight Stick X for the PC and PS3 for all your flight sim needs.