Hi, I would be interested in getting into the software side. I have the tools, basic hardware and even some experience to go with. And, of course, as a flight simmer (is that a word?), motivation too.
I dug out my old project (adapt-ffb-joy - I think someone referenced it in this thread a couple of years ago) and wanted to improve the MS Sidewinder's FFB effects (the GamePort version) by bypassing its obscure FFB firmware with code running in Teensy (2.0) and controlling its motors directly with a simple L298N h-bridge. If that would work well, most of the FFB control code should have a lot in common with more ambitious hardware (like seen in this project plans) too.
Now, I stumbled into this project just recently. And, it seems like your path is taking a lot of parallel directions and seems very interesting. Is there some project page with the designs, code etc. in some Git or elsewhere or is this forum thread (phew! this is a looong thread you got here) the only way to the info and interaction?