I use a Logitech wingman extreme non-cordless. They are around 30-40$. Best damn joystick I could ask for. Really durable and responsive and has almost no issues on setting up.
I use a joystick; however, it is my old MS Sidewinder Precision pro from '99. It works; however, I suck at flying helo's. With that said, I have heard some people prefer a mouse when it comes to flying the helo's. So go figure
I have a Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold USB. Good solid stick. Works really well, and I am sure if I practiced flying more it would show. Stick has a lot of features that BF just doesn't use like the 8 way POV switch. Also allows me to program macros on any key on the stick. Last night i set some of the easy to reach keys to some of the commonly used radio commands so that I only need to press one button rather than 3 to say "enemy armor spotted".
Forgot to add that their is a BFV helo tutorial around somewhere. I think I found it through PlanetBattlefield. I will look for it, as it has some good tips.
Ephil and I got the same one seems like... It's a real solid fairly simple stick. It has the 8-way POV hat, I just bind that to switch views, so if I want to go to chase cam real fast I just hit up on the POV, in cockpit is down and follow cam is right, etc.... Makes it ez to check your 6 when flying or see if your bombs hit.