...anyone ever try to use, say, a programmable flightstick controller + keyboard?

I am KBM, and my biggest problem with WASD movement is, in the heat of battle I sometimes just have my fingers in the wrong position, and I fail to dodge because I strafe right instead of running the way I intended, etc. Eyes off the screen to re-position, more time lost...

A joystick with keymapping/keyboard emulation, hat switch for camera or targeting, left/right torque for strafing - plus a keyboard... I'd feel right at home, like the glory days of MechWarrior II (Jade Falcon!)