I like the second idea too. give everyone 20 "flights" to use. However, put a twist on it (using the Mission arena idea).
Have the HTC server decide what type of mission those twenty flights are going to be. Now this could be an issue due to the dynamic nature of the arenas, but not insurrmountable IMO. The mission type from the server does not change until you accept it and fly. This is to prevent people from logging out and back in in order to get a different mission profile. The only thing that would change would be the destinations based on what map happens to be in rotation and what country controls the bases.
For example, I am going to use one of my 20 flights. I click a "checkbox" indicating this is a special flight. The server comes back with a mission profile. I.E. jabo a base, buff run, fighter sweep, each with a specific objective that has to be met. How you meet that objective is up to you.
BUT, in order for the flight to count, you must complete the mission objective AND land the flight. The server then can keep track of rounds fired, targets hit, etc etc. The best scores of the 20 flights get the cash.
This setup accomplishes two things... It takes the time online factor out of the equation as I suspect most people have time to fly 20 missions. Second, it makes each mission very IMPORTANT, as you have a limited number of flights. In RL, the pilots
got their missions, flew them and if they were lucky, they came back to tell about it. Each of the 20 missions counts as a "life". If you screw up, there is no redo, no "I'll just reup and fly it again" mentallity.
My .02 worth. Good ideas Furious...
