Heyas
I use the same stick! What I have set is this: the hat forward = up+front and the rest of the views are all around me horizontally. I use the A button+the hat for all my 45 degree up buttons. The A button is also my up view.
What I suggest you do as far as moving your head position is this: Get in the plane you wish to setup, takeoff at a base back from the front, and let the plane climb on auto. Then cycle through all the views, and adjust your head position to minimize obstructions in all views. Each time you get into a plane you've not setup b4, go through the same process. I use the little button low and to the right of the hat for my zoom view as well btw.
When I first get into the plane I also hit F9 immediately. I prefer the instant view system. The pan-view is an abomination, which can be very disorienting, and can even cause motion sickness. Think about it.. next time you turn your head from straight ahead to 90deg to the right. You don't "see" anything as your head is turning, your brain/eyes are able to tune all that out to prevent any disorientation. On the pc screen this cannot be replicated yet...
My stuff
SKurj