HOTAS for Flying jets/heli's???

If you want to base every assumption for the future of this series, across over a dozen different titles, on the latest one then go ahead.  I for one, treat 2042 as an outlier.  Again, for every singe entry BUT ONE they have supported this interface.  If that fact gets you worked up, then have at it.

Right, just the most recent release—so naturally the most current, most visible, and most indicative of the direction they’re taking. But yeah, clearly nothing worth noting.

Yes, the one exception.

Negative. 2042 did not have HOTAS support.

This question is asked at every release.  I am not a dev, however most HOTAS (assuming USB here) have been supported, with in-game configs, going back to Battlefield 2.  I feel confident that will continue here.