OK fellas, just because the aircraft factory (let's say Spit9) is destroyed doesn't mean you can't fly a Spit9.
Just not in that arena.
Alternatively, if you already have a Spit9 don't replane or just hope someone else left their Spit9 so you can take it. It was the factory that was destroyed not the aircraft on the ground.
If you just want to dogfight then go to the dueling arena. The fact that in the "Melee" arena there are Strat targets makes it a strat arena and it's only a small step to consider putting in Aircraft factories (or whatever factories).
On a side note, I think TOD is going to be more of a character development type game than a strat game where you can win the war. Of course I could be wrong here.
Bottom line, everyone who disagrees with me is obviously wrong:D
Magoo