Thanks for all the advice guys, I went out and bought a Logitech wingman extreme digital 3D, without the force feedback (couldnt afford it as I'm not a real pilot), and thankfully it all worked first time, and very well too. For the first time I can now land the A/C, its easy this piloting lark, and to think they pay some of you 100k a year for it!!
Seriously though thanks for the info, I have to go now and do a quick few circuits around Baldonnell (well you have to start somewhere)