If you just want it to use it rather then for sticking up on a shelf as a static display, I would just get the Saitek Aviator stick. It's decent, is widely available new, and even has some advantages over the Ace Combat stick at a fraction of the price.
As I recall with some guys that have used both with IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey, the Saitek stick was a more responsive stick with a smaller deadzone then the Ace Combat stick. The Ace Combat stick has a large deadzone meaning you have to move the stick a fair bit to input even a slight control adjustment. However, the throttle on the Saitek stick is in a poor position compared to the Ace Combat stick.
I've been pleased with my Saitek Aviator and from the impressions I've seen of those that own both and have tried them out in various games, the Ace Combat stick probably isn't worth the premium it goes for just for the slight advantages it offers over the Saitek.
Edited by Atariboy, Wed May 5, 2010 8:23 PM.