I think I may understand how its used, or I can be totally wrong.

Right now I have your typical HOTAS with the stick I use in my right hand, and the typical push forward/rearward throttle for the left left.

I have a 360 degree 'switch' on the throttle that I have strafe mapped to. When I turn at speed, it activates the thrusters (?) to help push the nose into the direction I want to go into faster as well as helps 'steer' the momentum of the ship much better/faster than without them.

From my understanding, the HOSAS usually has an option to bind certain throttle rates to as well as a way to have the throttle be on the left hand stick (which I think is a bit clunky). But mainly, is the HOSAS left handed stick basically doing what I am doing with my 360 directional switch in that its activating and 'steering' the thrusters?