As I mentioned above, I normally do fly a Spit XVI and normally just over 15K. Once on the deck Spits can't really run and they do attract a hoard. Eveyone wants to kill a XVI as quickly as possible.
Eagl, while we have had a couple good fights in the past. Maybe you could try out something a little more challanging then a Spit16, you might find that people are more inclined to give you a good fight more often rather then either running or looking to kill you as quickly as possible.
Generally Spit16s is never an encounter I look forward to, simply because they are either flown by someone new and be a quick kill, or someone average and higher and I'll be left shaking my head at it's uber abilities. While trying to sucker them into some sort of close fight for a snap shot.
I savour the moment when I can find something interesting for a 1v1. One reason I fly the Yak T is to fly something different from the normal rides and make it not only more challanging and interesting for myself but also something different for others to come across.
Though it does get frustrating at times when you get shot down by a uber ride simply because they can make mistakes and get away with it where as you make one mistake/miss one shot and your back in the tower. Plus you still get picked like anything else. Also I rarely give a salute back to anyone in a top tier ride, I just don't see the difficulty worthy of a salute.
Anyway flying Yaks especially the T keeps me interested. I don't think I'd last one tour flying a Spit16 even though I know my all my stats etc would all be 3 times higher with half the effort. Since I don't give a toss about stats it's hunting alone and the odd really good 1v1 or many fight that keeps me interested. That and the challange of pulling off shots with the 37mm, very rewarding.
<S>...-Gixer