I was one of the first to moan about the sticks when the demo came out. Then I plugged my Xbox controller into my PC and played IL2 for a week or two using the left stick to control the aircraft. After a few days it became second nature and now I don't mind it at all, you do get used to it ( and I've flown RC aircraft for years using the opposite sticks). I kind of like it the way it is now so I can access flaps, map and targeting etc while still having full control of my aircraft.

You do get used to it, and it becomes second nature very quickly.

It felt weird playing this at first, kind of like writing my name with my left hand (i am right handed), but after a couple of hours its not an issue any more, so i won't be buying a joystick now.

The game that I rented, is in the shop again, I don't go to buy it. I will check it again some months later if there is some updates.
Thanks all you by your responses.

I second that! Over G Fighters got a perfect control layout for console. Sure, flight sticks aren't that expensive and it adds to realism, but is a control re-map option really that hard to implement? In all honesty: how many of you actually look around the plane when flying as you do in other flight sims? (assuming your NOT using a stick) I dont, which is a shame since the scenario graphics is excellent! Im my opinion the controller layout is the only real draw back of IL-2...