Well for the dual joystick I won't be a bl to provide you some info (i'm a lcassic HOTAS user), but for sure you don't need also trottle and I think what
@White Lando use is the "classic" dual joystick setup.
If you are interested in also usign a trottle then I think
@marcsand2 coudl have some idea on how integrate it too: as far as I remember he uses the trottle to set the base speed (ex SCM speed) and then usea the left joystick to speedup/slowdown during combat... but I'm sure he'll provide more info on that if you are interested in a similar solution...
About the doubt on the Cuttlass Black I personally thing is a ship that every player that is not on a dedicated role should have in theyr hangar.
Is not the best fighter, nor the more agile ship or the bet hauler, but is all of that role in a ship that is small and "cheap" bot as in-game asset and real chash.
Cobat side with 4x S3 hardpoint for the pilot plus a 2xS3 turret and a copilot that could support with 16 missile (8xS3 + 8xS2) is nothing to be ashame of even if the agility don't make it a pure dogfighter like the Gladius.
Cargo side is 45 SCU that is not much, but also have the ability to carry 2 small vehicles (ROC, Thumbril) and could also accomadate 6 man on fold-down seats in the back making it a small dropship capable of carrying a squad and support vehicles, plus the 2500 quantum fuel unite are nothing to be ashame and can carry you across stanton and return without any problem or refuel stop.
Running cost consideration is extramealy cheap to run and repair, especially if during low altitude and slow speed flight you switch in VTOL mode.
Component wise is not the best ship out there and lack in redundancy, but with a FR-76 shield and a Crossifiled Q-drive you are uusually set, all the other components don't really need and upgrade.
For the weapons I run mine with 4x FL-33 and I find it a good compromise for stopping power and durability, but that is down to your preferences.
Finally I like to point out that even if some players dislike the wall of monitor of the pilot seat the Cuttlass series are the only ship where you'll be able to have ALL the MFD in your field of view, without the need to look around your cockpit for searching for the target hud, the power distribution or the need to re-arrange the MDF configuration every single time you enter the ship.