There is a quick and easy solution to your problem. Don't play the beta. Get it? It's a beeeettttaaa. You are obviously not the type to TEST an early version of a game. Your comments like:
"Can't raise or lower flaps in assorted aircraft."
"Auto-takeoff doesn't work."
"The map is fuzzy. "
Are completely non-specific and help no one. You are like a little baby crying and mommy doesn't know if you need your diaper changes or if you're hungy or what. You are a grown up, right? Then ask for what you want specifically, don't whine and cry in general.
Your last line is a knee slapper:
"Guys, please invest some time in QA. I'm confident you'll do better next time."
Are you suggesting that HTC waste time and money by having someone (or some people) QA non-production code? What is the point of QA'ing something before it is matured and stablized? WE ARE THE QA! Get it? That is the whole point of a Beta release. If you want it better faster, than you can start by submitting usefull, specific comments and bug reports.
By definition a beta game will always suck, as soon as it doesn't suck, it's time to go gold and sell it and make some money. I'd much rather go through 100 sucky Beta's for free than pay money for an official release that wasn't ready yet *cough* lo-mac *cough*
And you say you've done software dev. yourself? Scary...
I wish they had a "dolt" member rating.