Alot of great sticks in the AvA. Some of the best air to air to be found. Haven't been there in almost two years now. Began AcesHigh, found myself in the Training Arena and was lucky enough to meet a gentlemen with the call sign of S2F (Sugar). He set me up in VF15 Satan's Playmates, and I was on my way! Great guys,...Alpha81, Brentlo, Brenjen, Indiana, Zoo, Stitch and Gooch, Griz and his dad Viper,...and many more. Learned alot quick...but...there I was flying my 190 in a US fighter group.
Couple months later, branched out with the only other LW enthusiast in VF15, formed a Squad and hit the skies...almost.
Of course we were drawn to the AvA. That was what we were all about. So in we jumped! Oh boy...not good. Here we were, a gaggle of noob, vultchin, hoing, ganging dweebs...LMAO...and just to make it perfect, we named our squad I/JG54...out of total ignorance of the existing unit! What could have been worse. My gawd we were Storch's worst nightmare and he sure did let us have it.
So...a couple years later, alot of lessons learned, and good experiences grown from...Why an empty AvA?
A couple of thoughts: Someone noted that when the arena fills up, the game play degrades to MA style play. I am sure it does. That is only natural and a forgone conclusion. The secret is to make that Not such a bad thing. Yes, Stress things like Good Fights, Allowing the enemy to up, etc..etc..All the good things in there now, but also...welcome some bombers or something, move away from the elitist 1 v 1 attitude. People go DA for that. I'm certainly not advocating Base capture, map resets, or any of that stuff, just maybe some OBJECTIVES, would open up the game play a bit. I wouldn't mind shooting down Lancs over the channel once in awhile.
Things like that might help. No need to flame me, just opinions.