That's nothing like Aces High. The perk planes are optional, you can buy them regardless of streaks.
Last time when i was flying in Aces High i couldn't fly me 262 untill i had 20 kill streak without dying.
However, you can also fly any other normal non-perk plane.
I don't mind this system, I usualy fly with 1 plane only. So i will unlock the plane from the side which i like most and stick with it.
Oh, and there are other issues that make it very arcadey but I can't discuss them here.
I played it and in settings you can set it to be sim, also Natty if you played it, you should know that is closed beta and already how it looks, works and what is planned gives it advantage over other sims.