As I orbit a base port here this morning for what seems like an eternity waiting for something...anything to shoot down, I contemplate the findings in this thread on how this will not effect my score in a practical way.
Then again there are these data points:
* Upping a plane on the runway then deciding not to take off ending the flight immediately.
Some reasons include: Chose wrong plane, chose wrong base, base being vulched etc.
=> Kills per Sortie
* Shooting at non-targets for fun and\or tactical changes.
This includes shooting at moon, buildings while in fighter mode, other friendlies [across bow], burning off undesired ammo [type] etc.
=> TotalTourBulletsUsed, Hit percentage
* Helping a fellow pilot upon request.
To help unreservedly may require flying in a manner that sacrifices ones ideal score\stats\rank.
=> Potentially All
* Re-arm pad.
=> Kills per "Sortie"
* Choosing to bail or ditch without any damage.
Some reasons include: not wanting to fly all the way back to base, empty fuel, deliveries (UPS, pizza...), spouse ACK etc.
=> ((Discos * 0.5) + Bails + Captures + Deaths + 1)
* Flying high ENY planes, i.e. non-perk planes. ( C202, P-40c etc.)
It tends to take longer to get to a fight and also tends to take more rounds of 7mm and .303 to do damage.
=> TotalTourSortieTime, PlaneDamageScore ...
* Having to stay in tower.
Some reasons include: phone calls, house chores, spouse ACK and forgot was playing as other life events happen.
=> TotalTourSortieTime
* High altitude bomber intercept missions.
=> TotalTourSortieTime
* Setting convergence to a general setting good for bombers and ACM.
Like 475. Not gonna get an instant kill at close range like 300. Still able to be effective against bombers.
Just means you tend to use more ammo for ACM in some cases.
=> PlaneDamageScore,TotalTourBulletsHit,TotalTourBulletsUsed
Conclusion
The conclusion is obvious. Score may be useful for your own learning and growth. Maybe not as any real indicator of a pilots skill. Respectfully, we not not lab rats where all things in the flying "lab" are equal. There are just too many ways to skew stats\score.
EDIT:
* While in flight to a probably hot spot, waiting forever in the morning hours to find any action.
=> TotalTourSortieTime
This is just a very modest list of factors that can effect stats\score!