The add ons now are so advanced....actually I feel that flying solo may be better than online now.... FSPassenger + FS2Crew + Pro-ATC + Ultimate Traffic...etc. Flying online doesn't guarantee quality. Some players are actually just messing around. Most of the ATCs in Vatsim are easy simmer so they never publish SID, STARS but just vector to final or departure.
Flying online now need to match the AI model and better using same Airport / Weather system, otherwise it may have conflicts...
Flight control doesn't really matters unless you do combat and need super sensitive control because the flight control now doesn't integrate with accurate force feedback for trimming.
The CH series is not as good as it is commented. However, it doesn't worth to burn so much money to buy those pro grade control unless you are super hardcore simmer. Logitech / Saitek is doing just fine. Or, if you just want to try, X-box controller is good enough if it is well set.