Why can't I fly a chopper in BF2042

Sorry, it seems I'm one of the few  who is having fun with BF2042. Feel the need to apologise as most are not. Had a few great rounds of conquest tonight, some great squad play even without VOiP (come on Dice- please... really!) Really intense, a real grind to the flags. Capture then defending. I think the trick is to not expect to move across the map -stick with a sector and own it. 

But, promised myself to rank up  choppers when the game came  as quickly as possible, but I cant control the thing! i'm on mouse/keyboard and PC and whatever permutation of inverted setting I choose  the vehicle wants to tilt backwards. When I take my hand s off the mouse and keyboard, instead of settling to hover mode it just spins backwards until it hits the ground. Keeping it straight and level means continually working the mouse, nothing like BF3/4. what have I missed with the settings? Am i the only one?

Thanks