One thing to remember, most of us have far more hours of stick time than real WW2 pilots would ever dream of logging.
Put a n00b at the controls and see what happens...
I don't think the control manipulations in CoD are any "easier" than IL2, in fact I seem to be "dancing" on the rudder pedals a lot more on takeoff in Cod than IL2. I have to agree that the improved visual/sensory environment of CoD is the main factor in making it seem "easier" to take off and land.