So.
Player made.
Player made.
And a config setting.
That's incredible. Tell us more.
Also DCS has it's own user development add-ons (how much research there, lol.) "DCS offers a User Files section on its website, providing a wealth of community-created content like missions, campaigns, liveries, and mods. These are free for all players to download and use. The mission editor, for example, allows users to create their own custom scenarios, enhancing gameplay and providing endless replayability. There are even tools like DCS Simple Radio Standalone (SRS), an open source software that allows for more realistic radio communication in multiplayer."
Then here's DCS's own admission they make stuff up on the fly with vox populi...
Third-Party Developers: DCS World acts as a modular platform,
allowing third-party developers to create and publish modules (like aircraft, maps, etc.) through Eagle Dynamics' storefront. This brings a wider variety of content to the platform and allows for specialized development efforts.
Feedback and Community Engagement: While not directly involved in code development, the DCS community provides feedback on various aspects of the game through forums and other channels. Eagle Dynamics, the main developer, strives to maintain realism and authenticity and
does consider community feedback for improvements and new releases. All I see is DCS trying and struggling to match what AH has always been - a more complete, functional package...
I get that those who prefer more "make work" for their cartoon planes, and these are generally people (like you and your buddies as examples,) that cannot mentally compete in the more fluid ooda loops that AH creates on almost every sortie.17 years into it, DCS is still struggling while a 25 year old game still being the bar of excellence - I mean look at you trying to compare DCS to AH and always coming up short in some way or other while AH just keeps plugging along providing more fun and social interactions per hour than DCS can ever hope to match. Keep licking the window while we keep having fun, because even at 17 years old, HTC was rocking it harder than DCS is currently. Hell, even a currently 25 year old AH > 17 year old DCS.