I also use the the 2D A/P panel in the 3D cockpit but more and more often when I pass the cursor over the 2D A/P panel (which I normally put on the top of my screen) the entire screen goes black (only sound is still available) and the only option is to stop the flight and restart FSX again which is a real disaster. I tend to use the normal 3D A/P panel but as suggested above the pitch control is a real pain.

Has anyone else had the same experience and maybe found a solution?