Yes, Kitchen Utensil is right, you can map it as a switch.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a Fester, kappa, ManeTMP, Levi, Morph or other Super Ninji Ace Virtual Killer (SNAVK). These guys will kill you flying the keyboard without a joystick. I
am a little better than most in a few things that I like doing - living, landing kills, bombing successfully without diving and lawndarting...
Here are a few reasons why this setup works for me, in spite of my 35 IQ (in no particular order):
1. I could use the up view on the throttle hat in combination with joystick hat to do an all-around up scan, but I've had poor luck with CH tophats. I'm on my 3rd joystick in the last 18 months because of the tophat. They are hard to find where I live, so I'm trying to extend the life of the stick hat by using the throttle hat for 45 up views.
2. I have trim, flaps & gear on throttle because I like to fly the 'under-achiever' planes sometimes, i.e. P-40, Wildcat... so I'm flying at the edge of stall many times. I prefer to deploy/retract flaps, trim or gear and use wep with my left hand so I don't risk dropping a wing or changing stick pressure (no matter how slight it may be) while fumbling for a switch on the same stick.
3. I prefer to use the same stick setup for all planes (bomber/attack/fighter) and also gvs. I'm not smart enough to remember to change sticks. In bombers, the "Forward" view is vital to make a good run. In the F6 bombadier position, you can look up through the front of the plane and continue to steer (ailerons only) toward a target by using the "Front" view (8 on keypad). I zoom in long before the target using the Forward view to set up my run so there are no turns after the last calibration. Thats why I have it on the stick and I also use it extensively during a dogfight.
It's surprising to me that some people don't have the Forward view set up on their joystick. I think it's indespensible.
I'd be interested to see other setups as well. I'm always willing to try something new and improved.