I learned to fly on yokes and for me they embody fixed wing. I also flew 23 hrs on helicopters back in the days, and for me helicopters are closely connected to stick (not much choice there, though). I like it that way.
I tried an hour in a DA42 TwinStar earlier this fall, and although a lovely aircraft in all other ways, I just couldn't get to grips with the stick. I was in the left seat and the aircraft is supposed to be flown with your left hand. Maybe all these years of self pleasuring have made my right hand a lot stronger, but it just felt odd.
The instructor caught me flying it with the right on many occasions and had to tell me to shift hands.
Now, alarmingly, whenever there's a new airplane or concept out they
always have sticks. I can't think of a single new aircraft, microlight or concept in the last 5 years that hasn't had a stick (Tecnam P2006T twin being the exception). Even dyed-in-the-wool yokers (if you pardon), like Cessna, have abandoned it with the new 162 Skycatcher. The worst offenders (yes I'm looking at you, Microlights!) is the shared stick between the seats.
It's bringing me down. I know it makes sense from a space and construction point of view, but I
miss yokes. I like yokes. I want to keep yokes.
Am I being overly sentimental, or does anyone else share?