Sim players on PS3

[SgtPappy]

So I finally got the full version of the game last night.

Wow. That was so fun! Of course I did the training missions first to get my simulator mode. I have to say, playing in sim mode in the hurricane feels like hell! The office in that plane looks GREAT but the framework really blocks my view from everything. It took me a while to find the bomber in the training mission. I was actually chasing around a red clump on the map until I realized that the bomber was a flashing yellow dot.

I'm starting to get used to the fact that I have to use the R3 to look around, and I'm more able to keep my view on the enemy.

Any tips flying with a game pad? I feel using a HOTAS defeats the purpose of a console game.