It's good software that allows armchair pilots to learn how to operate real aircraft, not hardware. I don't need a home cockpit to learn a lot from JF-18, or Allied Force, or MSFS.
The Nephilim, home cockpits can be used with any software. The more that software supports keyboard-initiated cockpit commands, the more seamlessly it will work with a home cockpit. Currently the king of combat sims with home cockpit support is F4; it has keystrokes for every clickable cockpit switch, nearly every real switch is clickable, and there are keyboard callbacks. A keyboard callback means there is a different keypress for moving a switch to each position. i.e. instead of pressing F for flaps, you press CTRL+f for flaps up and Shift+f for flaps down. This lets you move home cockpit switches without worrying about whether they are out of sync with the sim your are flying.
With TSHv3, JF-18 will make a huge jump from its current home cockpit capability, but will still be very far away from Falcon 4.
Mac 4.0 - If you have the time, knowledge, and capability, you can build the exact same thing as CPM&T do, for "only" 8 or 10 thousand dollars. I'm not talking about something where "much doesn't function" - why would you pay 8 grand for that? With the right setup of LCD monitors, Beta Innovations controller cards, and the ability to work with metal, you can build a working F-18 pit that does everything but fly. It will take you a hell of a long time, though.
Here is the
article feedback on the SimHQ article. A little less than halfway down Nutty (James Hallows) gives brief instructions on how to make your own.
FYI, I've communicated with Paul Miller of CPM&T and he seems like a great guy. If I'm ever in that part of Texas I'll be sure to look him up.