As you currently have no time, I'm yet to put my hands on CoD and put my Über Cougar with GP Simped Vario Pros to work (collecting dust for >3 years
). There's also a very professional kit alternative to HAL+U2NXT, FSSB kits:
http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html
Despite a less than natural non moving stick for prop planes, it's very precise and it should be very useful in a desk setup with stick and throttle on your sides, like with the original F16 stick that is also force actuated. Just pair this with Simped F16, or add the optional toe tip F16 pedal brakes to the Vario Pros (as these have more travel) for the full experience on jet sims.