This is basically identical to how it was when I learned to fly in the seventies.
Nope, the new aspect is that if you eat into your reserve at all then that becomes an offence - you will be required to replan to land somewhere else with reserves intact.
Aerobatic flights that are typically about 15 minutes and directly above an airfield is one. Carrying an additional 45 minutes for a 15 minute flight is just plain dumb and blind bureaucracy and the additional fuel mass under a 8-10g load is significant.
Most aerobatic pilots could do with losing 8 kg - 1% or so in weight is not significant, just a slight edge. Competition aerobatic flights may entail holding as part of the contest activities (even at world championships) but I agree that 45 mins is excessive when the whole flight is directly above the aerodrome.