Thats what the aviator setup on PS3 does if you use it with a joypad. No buttons pressed = 55% throttle. L2 pressed = 0% , R2 pressed = WEP.

Its 'cos that setup is ment to be used with the stick not the pad, which uses those 2 buttons for the throtle but unlike the pad bumpers of course you dont have to hold it down.

Can you even hold the L2 and R2 buttons on the PS3 pad, like halfway R2 to 75%throttle?

It would be very tiring and unsuitable for formation flying thats for sure.

Yeah you can do that, but maintaining a constant throttle in the heat of battle is pretty impractical - for me at least. Having said that, it does feel pretty good: Although I'm not turning at optimal rates - it does play well.

It just means I get owned by guys that can use optimal corner velocities.