@Col_Larsen it is possible, when the pilot is not very good... Or overextended. It happens, but is very rare. But it shows, that there is enough time.
I agree with you, that the target lock is frustrating (because some leaf is in the way or someone jumped out of the helicopter or sometimes just without any reason), but if it would work better (for example like Rao's hack... This one has been improved significantly!), it would be very easy and would not reward the skill of the pilot, as he has often to fly very low (yes, skill is needed). It would be the wrong way to punish the pilots in this way.
What I agree would be the combination of Soflam + Rocket launcher for example to lock on the target while flares are active (flares can and should distract the rocket, but not the lock! And so should it help against stealth), this way, teamplay would be rewarded on the other hand. Other way would be to limit the flares, as the rockets are limited, too... But then we would need a way to restock them. I think DICE knows the issues with the helicopters but I believe, they don't know how to balance them either, they are flawed by design and it is hard to balance them without making them immortal or useless.
