Even when real life conspires against me I always consider AH my "flight sim fix" -- even if I can't fly.
It really is about the fun you have. I remember my first "real" kill in Aces High (what I considered at the time a real kill) all these years later. I can still mentally picture the gunsight image. It was a bit of a pick, but hell in my mind I couldn't beleive it.
I can't say the same for Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Tribes or any other game from the turn of the century. Aces High is one of those games that just presents memorable moments. Enjoyable memorable moments, I should add.