If I were to use a joystick/flight stick to play this game, would I need to have a set of pedals? The reason I ask is because I am confined to a wheelchair, and pedals aren't the easiest thing for me to use. So, would I need them?
No you don't need them at all. Usually when people talk about needing them, it's for joysticks that don't have a twist axis - because they give you something to control yaw with. There are other ways of setting that up too, but it's probably best just to get a stick with a twist axis.