I think another possible idea would be to have 2 games rather than 1. One is the free to play MMO with payed additional features (similar to World of Tanks or something like that) and the other, hard core simmers for the middle aged person and some exceptions (like me, probably the youngest long term IL-2 pilot
(insert self depressing comment about how only two of his real life friends have tried this game)).
This way, the MMO can fund the hard core half of it and will therefore deliver us a better simulator for the long term.
A long time lurker,
Eagle
P.S. Sorry if I offend anyone, I was trying not to.