I've often wondered about this as well. I used to get a magazine called "PC Pilot" (or "Computer Pilot, not sure which...), and I remember they ran a series on virtual air combat. IIRC, the only sims they mentioned were IL2 and Warbirds, as well as self cotained games like MS Combat FLight Sim, etc. I always got the feeling that they werre going out of their way to NOT mention Aces High in the different gaming magazines I've seen. I figured that maybe Hi Tech had pi$$ed off the wrong people in the industry or something.
As to what got me into the game, my brother had been telling me about it for years and that I should join, but I never got around to it. Then one evening I saw an AH commercial on the Aviation history Channel and was amazed! Called my brother and said "is that the game you've been telling me about?" Been hooked ever since. But lately (2010?) it seems like I haven't seen any of the commercials for a long time. Is it just me, or have they not been airing recently?