So I've just tried the following controls and they work beautifully. I recommend trying them yourself before discarding. I realize we all have our preferences, I just found mine.
Note - whenever mouse is mentioned, I
don't have to pick up the mouse, just move and hold and the nose follows, allows for very precise control,
as I could imagine in a future space craft. This is actually more immersing for me, using both mouse and joystick. It's actually quite amazing.
The Joystick I'm using is a T.16000M on my left hand, even though I'm right handed.
Axis 1 - Pitch - Mouse
Axis 2 - Yaw - Mouse - yaw is slow, so you NEED to roll
Axis 3 - Roll - Twist on Joystick
Axis 4 - Strafe - vertical - up/down on joystick
Axis 5 - Strafe - horizontal - left/right on joystick
Axis 6 - Forwards / back (throttle), I would like to use the mouse wheel, but doesn't work, so I'm using the hat on the joystick, which works great.
Also I've got the trigger on the joystick to turn the flying aids on and off, careful of motion sickness with it off!!!
Such fun

Have to say the sounds, graphics and small touches in Alpha are superb. Grats to all.