From my perspective Fugitive is right on!
However I find in the arenas I fly it usually goes like this
  I up from a base (spit9 usually---mid war)   fly toward an area that has a few red markers (no green around)  spy a red spit9 ---engage him ---we pass a few times he hoes and runs.   I chase for a bit but he running for buddies.   I rtb but before I can return same spit with la and a20 are engaging me .   I dive for deck ack and turn--turn.  I engage la,,,mostly ack damages him,,,,,I put a few rounds in him,,,,a20 diving I evade,,,,,spit kills me.  I ask spit why he would not fight me 1 on 1 earlier,,,,tells me to quit wining(his word)  Then I laugh and he asks me to DA him,  I say no ty  
This was my last flight Sunday evening
I don't have much time in AH--  the pilot of the red spit has a top 100 rating(actually 80 sunday)
I guess I am lost as to why that good a player would fail to engage in co e same plane fight
I like a good fight,,,,usually fly solo or with a small squad I'm in...we are all
just learnibg the ropes
Fugitive is right I believe
Meander