Can you guys recommend some good Joysticks for Space flying games and other flight games? Games like Freespace 1 & 2? Thanks.

I picked this up a year or two ago, it's awesome. Haven't tried it yet with Freespace games (just haven't had time), but I imagine it would be great for any flying type game, as that is what is was mostly designed for. I paid closer to $50.00 for mine, and it's even cheaper now. I've used mine with MechWarrior (4), and it's fantastic. Fuly programmable, and can split into 2 pieces for use with left and right hands...really feels like you're in a cockpit :D http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Flight-Playstation-3/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350909814&sr=8-1&keywords=Thrustmaster

Sorry I am not aware of the currently sold models (the last one I bought, and which I still use (in the rare cases I need it) is some age-old MS Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 something something... Works great, but it is quite big, needing some extra desk space of its own).

If you get a real flightstick, get one with a twisting stick, for "Z-axis". It is used for rolling your spaceship, or in flight sims for turning slowly without rolling (sorry I forget the correct term, probably pitch, yaw, trim... pick the right one...). Maybe not that realistic for flight sims, but then no gaming flightstick is actually realistic for e.g. F-16 sims, the real thing is quite different AFAIK.

But at least for many space combat "sims", a gamepad works quite nicely with its two analog sticks. Depends if there are too many often used buttons so that you constantly have to reach the keyboard anyway in the heat of the battle.

I've used the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro in the past and it's quite nice. I think it was $30 last time I checked. Has a rotating stick which is great as long as you're playing games that use it, otherwise it gets kind of annoying.

The main problem is that it can be annoying for lefties, but other than that it's quite nice for the price.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/joysticks/extreme-3d-pro

More $ - Thrustmaster T16000M or MS Sidewinder Force Feedback
Less $ - MS Sidewinder Precision Pro (not MS Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 - because MS Precision Pro had optical sensors & is more durable than PP2)

I just did a quick look up of these on Amazon and all except the Thrustmaster are sold out.

Is CH any good? This one is a bit expensive but i could save up for it if i had to http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-200-571-Fighterstick-USB/dp/B00006B84X

MS Sidewinder joysticks are sold out from a decade, I guess :-D. Hunt for them on ebay. Just keep in mind that they come in two flavors: with USB and GamePort interface - make sure you buy USB equipped device.
You can buy Sidewinders from $15 to $30 (FF models).
I see new T16000M for $50-60 so I guess second hand (cannot see a point in buying new one - those HALL sensors should last forever) should be below $40.

I've read many good opinions about CH products but have no experience with them.

EDIT: Whooo. Just saw the price of this stick you mentioned. And I thought my T16000M was expensive :-P

CH seem to be considered to be some of the absolutely best in the field. Do note that the joystick is a bit bare-bone though, with no throttle controls or anything like that on the actual joystick, you need to buy that separately ( http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Pro-Throttle-USB/dp/B00006B84Z/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y )
and you really want a throttle.

You really are going for the high-end, aren't you? ;) If I was to replace my current flightstick, I would probably buy something cheapo like:

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (little over 40€ here):

http://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/product/1780/dcvt/Logitech-Extreme-3D-Pro-PC-peliohjain

Logitech Wingman Attack 3 (under 30€ here; unsure if this has the twisting stick, if not, then personally I'd pass):

http://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/product/2006/dcxf/Logitech-Wingman-Attack-3-USB-peliohjain-PC

Note: I do not have first hand experience with those two sticks, like whether they will endure over a decade like my MS Sidewinder Precision 2 has, but then I consider gaming controllers wearing items that need to be replaced every now and then anyway. A bit like tyres on my car, or the battery in my mobile phone. Maybe that's also why I aim for the cheaper ones. And generally I've had pretty good experience with Logitech, I trust them.

Back in the day when I was big into flight sims, I even bought a separate thrust control stick from Thrustmaster, but it never got much of use for me in PC flightsims. I simply found it far too cumbersome to use, especially as even with it I still wanted to constantly access the keyboard with my left hand during the gameplay.

I have this as well, good stick, a lot of buttons - especially for the price.

Do many games even use a throttle? Or can it's buttons be configured to do other things? I hear not many games are set up to use a throttle correctly or at all.

I love the 3D Extreme Pro. Other sticks get better ratings on Amazon, but for my use (not a professional gamer), it works perfectly.

Throttle and z-axis are a must for Freespace and the there's plenty enough buttons on the Logitech 3D Extreme Pro to map all of your must-have targeting, weapon changing and firing buttons.

P.S. They are a common item at Best Buy, but if you want to wait, it's almost always $10-15 cheaper at Amazon.

I think that Freespace is an excellent candidate for throttle control if you want to stay on an enemy's 6 o'clock.

Most flight sim games I've used have throttle control. Some use a mid-point as stop and down and up will give you reverse and forward thrust. Some games go 0-100% thrust.

If I remember right, Freespace does 0-100% with the thrust quite well.