I may not make any friends by saying this, but one thing Ive noticed over the years is the group of people who have a passion for simulated air combat, but arent quite as good at it as they would like to be. Some want nothing to do with an even fight.
For me, noticing this started back in AW when the "Why cant we hit head-on?" crowd complained. They didnt want to gain the 6 of the enemy and defeat him. More issues through this game have been brought up from time to time. Always leaning toward the "but its more realistic " slant.
No matter what the issue, it always boils down to "I want to surprise my enemy and kill him easier". Whether its no icons, or always flying planes that can escape, or turn off the F3 mode in the DA, those people arent so much about knife fights as they are being the guy in the tower with a scoped rifle.
The little things like no icons may give an advantage to those with better systems they wouldnt have in a 1 on 1 fight with icons. You cant buy that. Its something you either get better at, or accept how you fly and be content, or try to influence others that what we have is unrealistic,gamey etc, and their way is better,to try and close the gap.
Personally I dont remember any fights where I got bounced and killed (its happened many times) but I remember many fights that started out with the pilots seeing eachotherand dukin it out till one was dead. A fight that might not have happened if there was no icons. I just dont see the benefit of it sorry. Its bad enough we have lag issues to put up with. Expecting everyone to see the same way your system portrays the game is wishful thinking.
If more effort went into setting up an arena where it was simply strat bombing and someone tracked tonnage on target through the campaign and the kills the escort and interceptors got, we'd have an arena most would play in.
Look for more ways to create great fights, not ways to sneak around.