I didn't expect a response quite so quick!!
Thanks for your suggestions - I think I am going to get it ... I have just been watching some of the JG4 boys on a mission and noticed (this time) that the controller only seems to pop up when their are enemy fighters around (presumably he is monitoring on Wurzburg or Lichtenstein). However, I found that I was so engrossed in the action (the graphics are truly astounding) that it is not as irritating as I thought it might be at first.
Fantastic simulation. Cheers.