Just bought CFS3 as my 1st ever flight sim. Set it up on my computer and all looked good til I tried to fly using the keyboard. All I seem to do is crash. The controls are either blisteringly quick or won't respond at all. I can fly a real aircraft so as you can imagine I am getting heaps from all my mates who have not had a go. Is a joystick any better or am I missing something basic in the setup? Thanks in advance

I concur. A good joystick makes all the difference. I'd recommend the MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro....I managed to pick mine up on ebay for just £10 including postage  .
The Force Feedback function doesn't only vibrate when you're rolling along the tarmac or firing the guns, it will actually fight against you when pulling out of a steep dive or turn, as though you were feeling the forces on the wing surfaces of a real aircraft. Builds up your forearms muscles too  .

The first thing I did when I got my force feedback joystick home was turn off the force feedback. It's totally unrealistic and just generally fecks everything up for you as the pilot.