Wasn't the 3.5GB VRAM on the 970 a bit of a scam, and ended up being like 3GB in effect?
Cuz I got a HD 7950 with 3GB of VRAM as well. I managed to fly about an hour without a crash on GaW today, but there were only about 10 people on.
Curiously enough, my cockpit textures load in as fast as they do with your 2060. Also, I haven't noticed general performance being any different from any other aircraft, with the notable exception of the Jester menu, which makes me lose about 10 fps the first couple of times I open it.