The yoke (OK, why not take digital input from a yoke?) has the benefit of being in clear view and both are linked mechanically.
These features might have helped or even saved 447.
Quote from tech log:
The main goal of unusual-attitude training is breaking the deeply ingrained and nearly universal “panic pull” reflex that causes pilots to haul back on the stick or yoke when bank angles exceed their comfort levels.
The PF was pulling back regardless if he had a side stick or a yoke...and that's what caused the stall in the first place. The fact that he kept pulling back puzzles people, but the real problem is that the crew never knew they were in a stall.....if the PF, or for that matter any of the 3 pilots on the flight deck knew they were in a stall, I am sure he would have stopped pulling back...
PM to PF: "Climb, climb, climb." PF responds: "But I've been pulling back on the stick for a while now."
That pretty much sums it up...