I look down upon that kind of shot, it usually means inexperienced pilot that won't hold his own in a 1 on 1. Having said that it also doesn't look like the OP was intending to merge and fight.
All these arguments got me on the fence now. But really don't we want to raise the level of fights and not approve of this kind of practice in general? Saying its good won't do anything to help the MA.
In practice I find it happens so infrequently as not to care. If its anywhere near a furball and anywhere close to an angle for me even on the recieving end it doesnt register as a HO. iF i merge close to nose to nose I expect it but if your style of fighting is to look for Duels 1 on 1 then Its been said before.
Like the man says you pay your money in the ma. Every fight is different, skill and style lvels vary enormously and there are usually gentlemen fightwers in ava if I want to remind myself how good some people are in a fair fight.
Basically the MA is rarely for me about fair fights with differnces in no.s, Planes, E states, Fuel loads and ord loads. Its about situational awareness and positionaing.
What is furstrating though is if you are fighting say against 2 or 3 and winning and one HO's you. Maybe I will try and go a whole tour without getting Hoed, Get hoed on the last day and be able to feel what all the fuss is about