looking for a space combat sim game

[Hand of Evil]

FREELANCER! Look to the reactor http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/TLR_default.aspx for amazing add-ons.

 

[Tsyr]

Another vote for X3, or X2 for that matter.

Want something free and very good? Look up "I've Found Her". It's Babylon-5 themed, but incredibly awesome.

 

[Neo]

If you want a good one that is a MMORPG try EVEonline, its like Elite meets Freelancer

not direct flight involved though as such its kinda hard to explain you do control your ship but via the interface.