well after spending a few hours changing things about and flying test missions i think i have got it sorted with out the use of the sst.
the only thing i did want to do was to be able to control the map from the hotas, but i guess that will mean doing it via the sst as the mouse on the throttle does not seem to be recognized in the game set-up.
but over all, i'm pretty pleased with how i have got it set up.
many thanks for all your input guys, much appreiated, now if you will only sit in my sights so i can see if the trigger works, then that would be fine.
Cheers
colin.