[Stevvo]

You might find interesting how space games have tackled this issue. Most share the same design for a radar display that shows targets around you in all dimensions using vertical lines to offset the markers above or below. Check out a video of Elite Dangerous combat to see it in action. It seems conceptually very similar to what you came up with.

[ProllyInfamous]

Thank you both for sharing your gaming and IRL experiences. It's neat to see how problems overlap, in and out of reality.

Form and function (or something).

[alexpotato]

Homeworld (1 and 2) also had a great 3D interface for viewing and controlling ships.