Yes, your whole HOTAS setup can be used. It will take some time getting the controls set the way you like. I would also highly recommend trying
Voice Attack to give commands to the game. I didn't want to try to remember what buttons I set to do stuff (plus I'd eventually forget my AH mappings).
Start out in Solo mode until you get used to controls and game mechanics. The tutorials don't teach you anything, but they at least let you practice flying and fighting. Your free starter ship the "Sidewinder" is free, so if you get blown up you get another basic one for free. Once you start adding/upgrading systems or buy a new ship, you MUST have enough credits to cover the buy-back cost, otherwise you'll end up back in the basic Sidewinder.
Take your time, check things out, don't be in a rush to make the most money and buy the biggest ship. Lots of people complain about the game being a grind-fest and that it has nothing real to offer. It's an open sandbox; there is no "we'll lead you along a pre-scripted storyline". Just go have fun.
The galaxy is huge, so even if you go to the "Open" mode versus "Solo", unless you stay near the starter systems or find a place where everyone is hanging out, you might not see another real player for quite some time.
