In the map revisions before the center was reduced to 4.5k, the base layout had some rational. Distance was being augmented with elevation. Now that the terrain is flatter, the base layout in the center could use at least three of the GV bases turned into maproom only small fields with no spawns to them. Out on the spiral arms, the airfields are too far apart with too many GV bases to support an interest in air combat. Some of those GV based could be replaced with maproom only small airfields, it takes too long to get at anything out there for today's attention spans.
The strats in the center could even be relocated out to the edges of each country which would remove some of the 90min or longer loss of auto rebuilding functions. As many have observed, the preponderance of spawns has turned the terrain into a GV centrist terrain. Almost as if the terrain builder is testing the idea that the air combat game simply needs runways to get into the air, and air combat will take care of itself. Years ago yes, not with today's players on a 10x10 terrain setup with half of the air bases distanced to stop the hoards from 10 years ago.