As a Pilot and flight instructor I have to say that anyone one that compares or thinks this is anything like flying real airplanes would be wrong.
I was a KC-135 IP, including simulators ... and I have to agree with you.
But, we also have to give HiTech some credit. This is a pretty good simulation of physics given the hardware. A full motion, full cockpit simulator is nothing like real flight, either. We used to use them to practice Emergency Procedures. It was basically a light show - fire light, low hydraulic gauge, bad gear indicator, whatever. We practiced failures that were unsafe to do in a real plane.
This game does a good job getting the 3D feel of flying and fighting.