for the life of me, i dont understand people. first there are not really any set rules in the AVA other then the encouragement to be respectful to other players. that rule is mostly ignored! everyone seems to think civil gameplay is comparable to the anti-christ! no one is forcing anyone to be civil. However, you get what you give. certain groups will ho if you ho first, will gang if you gang, will pick if you pick, etc. etc, etc.
the biggest problem i think is the planeset. the little scriptkiddies dont like it because they cant fly their Super Uber spit16's, typhoons, Hurri2's and other dweeby aircraft. the other people dont like it because of the same reasons.
this arena is about having fun with a short planeset and learning how to fight with less agile aircraft. fighting a bf-109e vs hurri 1 or spit 1 is a workout. its not get in, kill and get out. thats what makes it different.
you have to work for the kill, it doesnt come easy (unless you're behind me). the idea is to make it more realistic and more of a ACM arena. 6 people diving in on 1 poor soul happens but its not that often. ho'ing occurs but if you dont ho, you wont get hoed back. i personally keep my finger on the trigger, if i see tracers, you get a face full!! if i dont, i fly by and get into the fight. its pretty simple.
example, i shot up potnpans last night, his engine smoking and fuel pouring out. when it quit, i just left him and flew by. of course one of my squaddies nailed him but i let him go because he was helpless and it wasnt a good fight. thats just me.
the planeset scare people because they have no advantage. the idea is to level the playing field. i go up against guys and have a decent shot at winning. i fly in the MA's with the same plane and im dead before i get started.
give the arena a chance. some nights are good, some nights are not. just depends on players and attitudes.