towd... LOL. That is the way of things. Personally I'll take new guys with great attitudes like Gunslayer over all of the guys that quit.
Gunslayer, glad to hear you and your buddies are enjoying Aces High. Feel free to email me at sconrad@hfx.eastlink.ca any time if you would like to set up some training, or just ask some questions about the different AC and fighting styles in Aces High. I love to chat about this stuff!
BTW, the reason I suggest a plane like the Spit IX for new pilots is twofold. First, it is one of the best all-around planes in the game. It is a jack of all trades that can do well in almost any style of air to air combat, whereas many other planes tend to have strengths only in certain areas with weaknesses that can be easily exploited. The second reason I suggest the Spit IX is that it has great guns but a limited ammo supply. Learning with a limited ammo supply will teach you to hold your fire until you have a good shot, which is a very good practice. When I get in a gunnery slump I'll go fly the Spit Vb for a while to force myself to make every round count.
Remember, that every time some fellow calls you a "C-Hog Dweeb" or something like that, what they really mean is "Wow I am really embarrased that I got blasted by a newbie after I bounce him with a huge advantage."
This is true for "N1k Dweeb", "HO Dweeb", or any other supposed derogatory comment like that. I find the best way to deal with it is to throw a <S> (salute) over the radio and keep on trucking. Hey, we all get frustrated sometimes, so I've been guilty of this myself on occasion.
I think your point is a great one. The best way to get folks out of the more popular planes, is to extole the virtues of some of the other rides. One of the coolest things I have done is to help get a few pilots turned on to the F4U-1D after the 1C came out. A few of those fellows are now 1D experts that far exceed my own abilities in that plane! (The bastiges now waste my P-47 on a regular basis too!
Gunslayer's suggestion is a good one, it not only will work, but it's very personally rewarding to help new folks fall in love with that special plane.
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Lephturn - Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com "A pig is a jolly companion, Boar, sow, barrow, or gilt --
A pig is a pal, who'll boost your morale, Though mountains may topple and tilt.
When they've blackballed, bamboozled, and burned you, When they've turned on you, Tory and Whig,
Though you may be thrown over by Tabby and Rover, You'll never go wrong with a pig, a pig,
You'll never go wrong with a pig!" -- Thomas Pynchon, "Gravity's Rainbow"
