I use the full CH set up, fighterstick, prothrottle, and propedals. They're all USB.
Just install the CH software and plug em in and yer all set. AH sees all the axis' and switches in native mode, all ya gotta do is tell AH what you want em to do. Took me an hour to set up, and that was with being unfamilar with the AH program as well as the new sticks.
I do just about everything I need to do in the air HOTAS, hands never need to leave the sticks. The only annoying thing was the 8 way hat on the fighterstick is tough to reach when your hand is in a comfortable position. For awhile I used the 8 way hat on the throttle for views, but eventually build up the hand rest on the stick about an inch (I love duct tape) to make it easier for my thumb to hit the 8 way on the stick.