If you're having controller issues, then the following may help.

When I first installed Privateer 2 I immediately applied the unofficial patch and my HOTAS just wouldn't work in spaceflight and I couldn't calibrate it, in game. I'm guessing the problem was that certain config settings weren't being written.

I was using my old cd retail release, so made another fresh install, set it up in DOSBox Staging, although the GOG release is a DOS version as well. The solution was to play the DOS version, skipping through all the intro movies until I could buy a ship and start flying in space. I was able to open the in-game options enable joystick and throttle and calibrate the HOTAS.

After which the install folder was copied to a shorter folder (D:\Dark), the contents of the cd's copied into this folder and the unofficial patch installed. After which it worked fine in Windows and after recalibrating the HOTAS in game for a second time, it worked perfectly in spaceflight.

Added a post to my website which may help: https://www.tales-from-darkenedroom.com/post/privateer-2-the-darkening-running-in-windows-10

And there's a YouTube video of it running under Win10, with the HOTAS working.