Ace Combat 7 was a FANTASTIC game. Have you tried it in VR? OMG it is incredible. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the way it looked with DCS, a high fidelity flight simulator. It is also VR capable although most use a TrackIr or even cheaper their own webcam for head tracking. Here is a video I have made to show you what the F18 in DCS looks like in action!
The jump to DCS is a big one but need not be stressful. It's free to download where you have access to free planes. You can use your keyboard and mouse at first, just take a deep breath!
If you like it get a cheap $30 joystick or borrow one from a friend, the Mircrosoft Extreme 3D Pro is under $30 and even has an easy to use thrust part on it. Later on you can purchase individual aircraft and helicopters which have their own campaigns.
Most DCS players do NOT have uber gaming rigs or expensive HOTAS setups..you would be surprised, some of the most active and prominent DCS pilots play on potato setups, which is why its so great.
They just wanna fly and fight. Its an incredibly rewarding game and even more fun when you meet others and fly together. You can learn about the intricate systems and click buttons in the cockpit and really feel what its like to fly, make decisions, communicate, dodge SAMs, and land on aircraft carriers.
We need more pilots and love to talk about the aircraft and create silly missions...(more on that later).
Find it on Steam or the digitalcombatsimulator website (which I recommend).
I plan on posting a new user guide as the existing ones are aging, good, but I feel new users may not find them easily.
Stay tuned...