Also, consider that flak is mostly way, waaaaaay off - another AI issue (though sometimes it gets a lucky hit, like today on me...). So "the enemy is where the flak is" is not that good of an indicator. I tried that myself, to no avail, to be honest.

I thought it was just me too, but everyone I spoke to said they had similar problems, particularly if you are high and they are low. Get ventrillo or teamspeak is my advice and you will have comms with others - it is a huge advantage and I can't imagine going on MP without it now. Not only will you have extra eyes but get to chat to some great on-liners. I had to be dragged off my PC as I was enjoying MP so much!

If you fly Spits/Hurries - open the canopy for improved visibility!

Looking at the screenshots for the next patch update I am hoping that the planned changes (to the graphics) may help spotting a/c.

MP - EvangelusE
Allegiance - Red

To be honest my bigest problem with spotting enemies is this.
At long range its easy a dark black spot in the distance, so you close the range and at some point that black spot just disappears and I cant see them anymore until suddenly they reappear again once more much closer.
Perhaps its me, my PC or my monitor but its just so counter intuitive and damn frustrating.
A closer aircraft must be more visible than one far away.

maybe reflections on the plane is not working fully also... or add more reflection to the planes.. Ive had that happen to me also with seeing a dot then getting closer then plane blends in with terrain and cant see no more

I fly the Spit as well. I like to even up the numbers on the server, if there are too many blues then I'll go red but I prefer the 109. Unfortunately when I play, the blue team is usually overpopulated so I'm more often in the Spit.

I don't find it's the same at all. The 109's cross the channel and draw flak whilst the Spit is over land. I find it's easier for the Spit to find the 109 then vice versa.

As mentioned before the Spits are flying over friendly territory. The tactic I've seen countless times is for them to fly low. If bounced and damaged they go in for an immediate emergency landing, regardless of trees because trees don't exist. It's a real underhanded tactic but that's what I've been observing.

I've damaged so many spits and they instantly head for the ground and land right through the trees.

Hopefully if this game ever takes off properly and the servers are full then we'll see people getting off the deck and trying to get an altitude advantage.

I also find it odd that the opposing sides aren't cooperating to meet up in a selected quadrant. I must try out teamspeak to see if that' where the info is.

Can't wait for some online actions. I'll see u guys up there soon.

Yessir that is definitely where it is at... It is much easier to bind a voice key to your joystick and tell your buddies, where you are and if you spot someone or if you are being attacked. If we know one of our buddies is spawning we will hang out somewhere and wait for them, it definitely makes a huge difference... Plus everyone is more than happy to give you tips.

Please keep in mind when flying online many people have forests turned off (as a temporary fix for the sound bug), so they don't know when they are flying through trees. I prefer to lose the trees than have the sound cut out mid-sortie. That said I do appreciate your concerns and agree it is far from ideal.
Hopefully this will be addressed in the next patch with the revamped sounds.

I agree with Whoarmonger that spotting contacts at longer ranges is relatively easy as they appear as quite dark spots. As you shorten the distance the planes blend with their surroundings and are much harder to see.

I do find flak helpful to find bandits when Im over friendly ground. It may not be overly accurate but if you watch for the most recent bursts, you will eventually find the black dot that's moving ahead of them.

Unfortunately I experience the very same problems that you describe.

Check this http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=20622

Cheers

Ashamed to say I never thought of that! Thanks SEE.