When I first saw the trailer with the Amarr heavies dropping into battle, I thought all spawns would start this way. I agree that only random spawns and objective spawning should have this like you said. Also add an option that automatically activates inertia dampener when you spawn only, not when jumping off stuff like the MCC or buildings. This OPTION would stop people from accidental deaths resulting from lag or spawning glitches.

Suits have built in systems for falling, and breathing already, getting shot or seen on your way down is just the risk you have to take. It's much harder to see someone who hasn't activated inertia dampener so just wait to last second in that case. (Doesn't really matter in Skirmish since most people can't see you, or they know where your coming from; but still kinda fun to see how low you can get before activation. Also they could make you activate dampener earlier depending on how far you have fallen, otherwise risking taking damage.

While generally I'm for the option of Sky Spawning... I have to ask how. Everything in this game is based on lore of some kind and assets. The only ship we have over any particular battlefield is the War Barge. But we wont always have said warbarge. At the moment, you can spawn in, and drop from the MCC, that is essentially 'Sky Spawning' with a manual twist, as you have to jump.

The spawn in the base, that is simply unrealistic, and should have a CRU, or other mechanic behind it to retain it.

If you want Sky Spawning, have a dedicated Dropship pilot flying over the battlefield with a Mobile CRU. Its the way it should happen, you do it yourself, rather than some random non-existent AI element that miraculously 'drops' you where you want to be on the battlefield.

I wont disagree with you there on most points.. but these matches, especially instant matches, would require how many Warbarges.. especially if they are player-owned, jumping your Warbarge all over the Universe to fight in Instant Battles would be simply unrealistic, and in these 16 V. 16 Matches, you could potentially have 32 Warbarges over this tiny tiny tiny map... If you jumped from yours, you'd be just as likely to splat onto someone else's Warbarge as hit the ground.

It's already been stated by CCP that the Barge will be more than 'just visuals' in the future. They will be player owned, and to some extent, operated. They are an Asset, as will the MCC...

Currently, yes, the spawn mechanic is off... but you could just as easily say that 'Ambush' area maps are inherently unstable Space-time locations and are spawning random micro-wormholes that us mercs have learned how to tap into. Or for an ambush map, they place a micro-wormhole generator in orbit, focused on a specific site.

The mechanic of Sky Spawning, while an awesome idea, isn't covered by lore in any way shape or form using the 'Instant Battle mechanics'. As I stated above, do it manually, by getting your squad to spawn in, and drop from, a Dropship fitted with a Mobile CRU.

I guess my main point isn't getting across...

The Real Issues:

1.) Mercs do not want to spawn randomly on the ground for no reason. (maybe CCP can release a background story to make this at least make sense)

2.) Mercs do not like the fact that an ememy can engage them, before they can defend themselves.

3.) Mercs want to fall from the sky and use their inertia like they show in this trailer (at 1:30)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI53ydJaus8

With these three key things combined, We need to find a spawn system that makes these possible all at once.
By making the merc able to position his body or choose which direction he will be facing when he is coming down from the sky, you get a split second of advantage over the enemy on the ground. With some sort of claoking device while you are coming down, the merc gets an even better advantage.

Finding what works best and makes the most sense is what is most important.