Calling all lateral thinkers - I have controller question

[matsher]

Hi gents,

A quick summery -
I bought a Saitek throttle quadrant and its a great tool, it also has a great clamp
to attach it to my desk, I also have a USB PS3 game pad which I have attached to
the saitek unit... they work great together... Now before all you jokers tell me to
get an X52, I can't / won't because I'm left-handed and no damned manufacturer
makes a HOTAS for a left handed person... I think the reason for that is because they are all right-handed facists ... apologies, I digress...
Anyhoo, so here is my question...

Is there anyway I can assign axies's to the 2 thumb sticks and get them to act as NON-constant input levers?
ie: If I assign left thumb stick y-axis to elevator trim and x-axis to rudder trim,
is there a way to get the inputs to stay there when I release the thumb stick
and NOT return to the neutral centred value.

I hope I am making sense ...

ie ie: So. lets say I assign an engine throttle to the left thumb stick y-axis...
can I push the thumb stick up (throttle to 100%) release the thumb stick and have the engine stay
at 100% and not return to 50% (being the centre position % value)?

Please help me crack this one, its driving me mad and I don't want to waste a potential extra 4 axis'seses.
The only use I have come up with for them so far is independent L/R wheel brakes...

I've attached a pic so you can understand what I mean better.

Thanks in advance.