I second this initiative but with a different idea.
Once the player chooses a manuever node a dockable should be available on the NAVBALL. Make it extend to the right or to the left.
Once this menu is extended you would have 3 lines (representing the 3 axes with the 6 arrows) that you can drag from the end (same icons you have for the manuever node).
This way the user could simply focus on the target and the man.node setting is always visible, plus it is always shows up all the arrow you can manipulate. I often find myself in a situation where I can not reach the arrow because it is "behind" or blocked by another and if the arrow faces the wrong direction, I have to rotate the screen.... AH!
