diff --git a/game/settings.py b/game/settings.py
index d16a1bc7..ad45717d 100644
--- a/game/settings.py
+++ b/game/settings.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class Settings:
     automate_front_line_reinforcements: bool = False
     automate_aircraft_reinforcements: bool = False
     restrict_weapons_by_date: bool = False
-    disable_legacy_aewc: bool = False
+    disable_legacy_aewc: bool = True
     generate_dark_kneeboard: bool = False
     invulnerable_player_pilots: bool = True
     auto_ato_behavior: AutoAtoBehavior = AutoAtoBehavior.Default
diff --git a/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py b/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
index 7f406e17..88101b28 100644
--- a/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
+++ b/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
@@ -473,20 +473,22 @@ class QSettingsWindow(QDialog):
         general_layout.addWidget(restrict_weapons, 0, 1, Qt.AlignRight)
 
         def set_old_awec(value: bool) -> None:
-            self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc = value
+            self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc = not value
 
         old_awac = QCheckBox()
-        old_awac.setChecked(self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc)
+        old_awac.setChecked(not self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc)
         old_awac.toggled.connect(set_old_awec)
 
         old_awec_info = (
-            "If checked, the invulnerable friendly AEW&C aircraft that begins "
-            "the mission in the air will not be spawned. AEW&C missions must "
-            "be planned in the ATO and will take time to arrive on-station."
+            "If checked, an invulnerable friendly AEW&C aircraft that begins the "
+            "mission on station will be be spawned. This behavior will be removed in a "
+            "future release."
         )
 
         old_awac.setToolTip(old_awec_info)
-        old_awac_label = QLabel("Disable invulnerable, always-available AEW&C (WIP)")
+        old_awac_label = QLabel(
+            "Spawn invulnerable, always-available AEW&C aircraft (deprecated)"
+        )
         old_awac_label.setToolTip(old_awec_info)
 
         general_layout.addWidget(old_awac_label, 1, 0)