The dual-wheel idea would probably work the best, I think. Rotate them a bit like trim on an aircraft, but with pitch and yaw being the only two directions of travel.
Could make it very simple with some sort of lever that is just climb, stay level, and descend? Kinda like a blimp would work, I assume. It would make the pirate ship unable to do climbs like a plane, and that climbing and descending would be more akin to an elevator?
Also, sorry I posted everyone's characters - I'm realizing now that it makes more sense for you to have done so, so you can change them as you want instead of going through me. Wasn't really thinking that one through. I can 'delete' my entries if you guys want to post your CS there again.
@Shikaru @Nightwarden @Kierkegaard thanks for the interest! Feel free to come up with a character and run it by me either here or in PM before posting it in the character thread. Just take a look at our other current characters to get an idea of what types our party needs. Lemme know if you have any questions!