I did not understand what it means:
"4 way directional hat and a X and Y axis on miniature joystick"...
For "X and Y axis on miniature joystick"" he mean the "thumb stick" PS3 like (used in CH PRO Throttle, Thrustmaster TWCS throttle...) - today this device is very desirable by "space pilots" for that "6DOF" control
2 axis mini-joystick with press button (switch) in eBay. For "4 way HAT", is the conventional 4 micro-switch HAT around a pole.
In all commercial joystick available is not used 8 micro switch HAT - like the above picture for "HUD" maybe suggest, but 4 micro switch only, what make the "8 way" is the firmware that translated two near buttons pressed simultaneous as diagonals. For example: N and W pressed = NE diagonal.
Example of HAT internals:
free image uploadingThis above internals (from TmW HAT) can be 4 or 8 way HAT for Windows/Games, depends on firmware.
Why "8 way HAT" is not much practical to use, sometimes trying press NE you end pressing N or E first (1)
With today 3D print is not difficult/expensive make HAT, in Debolestis Shapeways has some examples.
(1) - Using Alps 8 way micro (+ press button) switch this drawback is avoidable because the diagonals use a dedicated button - but at same time make then unusable in POV HAT position with conventional joystick firmware that expect two buttons pressed simultaneous.
http://www.alps.com/prod/info/E/HTML/MultiControl/Switch/RKJXM/RKJXM_list.html