tom, I don't know about the Spektrum radio guys, but we have been doing the same thing for the Turnigy 9X/9XR for the last two years. We basically moved all the functions off the two sticks. The 9X/9XR has two shoulder toggle buttons, so we usually would mapped the canon and the MG to them so we don't have to worry about returning the switch to the normal position.
Essentially the two stick controls the XY movement of the tank, and the XY movement of the turret and will not trigger any other functions. All other functions are moved to the buttons/switches (Engine on/off, light on/off, MG and canon).
This would be useful for the Spektrum guys for sure if they haven't done it already.
MikeC.