Sure, baby seals keep it fresh and interesting in the MA by doing all sorts of cute maneuvers that are entirely wrong and ineffective, but if you are looking for good fights, you'll find them on side bases in the dueling arena, not in the MA.
Two different ends of the stick.
I prefer to keep it interesting and increasing the challenge even against the seals by flying a higher eny ride,flying between bases not over them and flying solo, that's only way I've played for years now.
Flying perk rides and uber rides and trying to kill as many seals as possible as easily as possible, doesn't interest me. I know that appeals to many but never been my cup of tea. Similar deal for squads, most are in squads for obvious reasons. Me I haven't been in a squad for years simply because I prefer to be out on my own.
After playing the game for years now, the only toy in the sandpit which still has me coming back for more is the Yak T. As I find it challenging,rewarding,frustrating at times but mostly a lot of fun simply because of the 37mm. If they removed that plane from the list I'd close my account tomorrow.
DA I've done and go back to occasionally but the staged fights I lose interest no matter how good they might be.
Anyway that's my $15.
<S>...-Gixer