I couldn't help but notice from your post, Grizzly, that you didn't mention any head tracking devices in your rig setup...
Just in case the fellas on the 75th haven't already mentioned it, I would strongly recommend you look into getting Track ir if you haven't already! As you have probably already seen, there's a ton of HOTAS inputs in the A-10C and no room for moving your "head" with a pov d-pad.