Mayhaps you gents are forgetting that not everyone can go out and purchase a 200$ Stick and throttle setup. With enough control surfaces, buttons, and programming software to be able to play this game without ever touching the keyboard. (Thank you Saitek X-52 Pro)
Back when I only had my Cyborg Evo, with the throttle attached to the stick, I would have to use my left hand on the keyboard for landing gear, flaps, WEP, etc. etc.
Now in that case, what is more economical, pushing E to shut off the engine with the same effect as dropping throttle, and not losing key orientation due to removing your hand from the keyboard. Or reaching across my desk to my stick and dropping the throttle, then hoping I know my keyboard well enough to hit the flap button the right time the first time in order to keep the plane under control. Or, cut engine, drop flaps, increase engine power?
I was able to do that with 3 keys by cutting the engine. Whereas if I didn't, I'd have to drop throttle, hope I hit the right key and move my hand back to the throttle, then back to the keyboard for more controls.
All cutting the engine does is provide a shortcut for those players who can't afford a seperate throttle assembly. Thus making it a little more balanced towards those who can.
Personally, once I got all my controls programmed into my X-52 Pro, I never had to cut the engine ever again.
But just because I don't have to doesn't mean everyone else has an X-52 Pro and can just pull their arm back, or forward, or click the forward hat on the throttle for flaps and the little button for WEP. Or have a quick pan switch button for views, or have neat little toggle buttons for their trim controls. (Which have spared my 109 many a lawndart's fate.)
