[Dave Scheck]

I don't think we ever experimented with a 3 axis joystick. We've always gone with the two stick approach. Back in the day, we just used the X-axis of the left stick for crab angle. I think 2008 was the first time that we used both X and Y to use the full circle of the stick for wheel angle.

I would think that the control that you described, where the Z axis of the stick determined the crab angle would be really hard to work with. I feel like you would lose a ton of resolution between the range of motion of the stick, and the physical dexterity required to twist the stick (as opposed to deflecting it). Like I said, I've never tried it, so if someone has had good success with that setup, more power to you.