Well Rich the scale needs to be different for WWI combat.
Almost all action was close to where the planes were located. Front tended to be static, and allowed for buildup of guns, airodromes for planes, etc.
Shouldn't ever have to fly more than 5 - 10 miles in a WWI sim, and at 100 mph your looking at no more flight time to find a fight than we have now.
Also WWI saw the last of Aerial Chivalry, it was more about personal honor and code of conduct than winning at all costs.
This would not be a bad thing to bring back to this community. Also, the balance of who had the advantage shifted several times in the "Great war". So choosing the time, and the planes involved lets you do a better job of balancing gameplay.
Fights are slower, lower, armament is weaker, planes are capable of less. All of which puts more emphasis on pilot skill and situation, and less on plane advantage. All this is good stuff for those interested.
If your not interested, thats fine, many won't be.
On the other hand. The basic coad for AH will work the same be it WWI or WWII planes which are enabled.
Terrain is terrain, WWI is actually simplier, because you don't have as much stuff to worry about. There are no 20mm guns.
Don't think either side fielded a .50 mg in any numbers. You have artillery with fuzed shells for AA, and planes. Thats pretty much it. Bases can and should be close together, separated by a static no mans land. So in theory, a couple of AH employee's could come in weekends and work on this project and give us another arena, another choice. Planes compared to AH are dead simple. (and I suspect they already have 2 or 3 of them built)
After all if HT can coad the Rv-8, whats so hard about a Spad or Fokker?
Also I'm giving HT credit, for having done all this once before.
Knowing where the pitfalls lay, and trust that he'll steer us around them.
Instead of 2 separate sims with different software, owned by one company, 1 Front End capable of running either WWI or WWII depending on which arena you join.
Its not DOA, it shouldn't adversely effect AH, so I don't see why not give it a shot.
And if down the road, if they can do the same thing for Korea? (especially if they keep it early in the campaign, no missles)
More variety, something different to do when you burn out on the late war scene, keep it interesting, appeals to a wider audience. Means that life is good for HTC and Aces High and will stay that way.