Current major scenarios run just like TODs. 1 life per frame. What if we did a major scenario, with 1 life per event?
Example, General Scenario XXX
400 people register, only 250 actives. As is the case right now.
So, then the 150 left are split into reserves. Side CO's have authority to put reserves where they are needed, during event.
The way it would work :
Pilot Death = Out of event.
Successful Bail, Ditch = end of frame, but can still fly next.
Captured Bail, Ditch = You are out of event, UNLESS the side CO's
work a trade.*
So in Frame 1, say a squad flew at full strength, and had 5 pilots die or get captured. The CO elected not to get the captured pilots back, so Frame 2, could then pull 5 reserves out to fill the squadron. Then Frame 2, the squad gets jumped, and all but 2 die. If the Side CO has already used up his allotted reserves, then that squad will have to fly understrength for the rest of the event. In the end, some events could turn into a war of attrition.
*Now here is how captures could be dealt with. Side CO's, or designated representatives, could get together and barter to get their pilots back at the end of each frame.
IE, Axis pilots Wilbuz, Glassess, Hblair and a few others are captuered. Allied pilots Hooligan, Drex, and a few others are captured. Allies decide to trade Hblair to get Drex back, and Wilbuz to get Hooligan back. Axis want Glassess back, but Allied side doesn't need to trade for anyone comparable with Glassess skill level, and so either decides to keep him as captured for later deals, or Allies trade him for more than 1 pilot of slightly lesser skill. Either way, Allies get the best of trading for pilots on that round.
For the capturing system to work well though, etiquette would have to ban chute shooting during major events. If a person was shot in their chute and had film they could then email the film to a CM for review. The CM could then convict the shooter of War Crimes, and ban them for the event.
Just a thought, and one drawback is that you would not be able to allow walkons in a major scenario. Only registered pilots would be able to fly because of numbers control. Would be interesting to try I think though.