Great suggestions. I was suspicious of the same thing Batfink described, but he got there first....
I've been catching myself doing the same kind of thing when I go vertical -- I come down to soon, when the enemy still ahs enough speed to maneuver. That lets his smaller, slower loop cut inside my bigger, faster one... and gives him exactly that shot.
I'm sensing you're a faster learner than I was. This is my first real attempt at learning a flight sim, and MAN has it been hard. I tried to do too much on my own and learn by experience too much, and it cost me a lot of time. So let me offer a couple learning suggestions.
First, film a lot. Watch films from external, fixed persepective and use the trail and icon options when it gets interesting.
edit: Then, switch to inside view and see what the maneuver looked like from the cockpit. Use the recorder's original view where possible; if you switch to a different plane, use your own view controls. If you get shot down, watch carefully to see what YOU looked liek to the killer -- you'll see mistakes faster that way. Keep an eye on the panel so you can see everybody's speed as they maneuver. Use films from squad libraries, adn dont hesitate to ask the authors (and others) about what you see. Here's a great film collection that helped me lots:
479th film library Seocnd, use the resources like Netaces and SimHQ. Netaces is the best when starting, but SimHQ's more advanced and detailed stuff can help early as well.
Third, when you think you've got an idea down -- whether its a scissor, an immelman, a break turn, whatever -- ask someone to check you out as you do it. You can set up appointments with trainers, or you can jsut ask somebody in the MA. You'll be even more amazed at the community when you see how "famous" names will be generous in helping out, ESPECIALLY when you have a specific agenda or goal. (Of course, there are jerks, but you'll filter them out easily enough.)
Fourth, as you get out and fight, develop the swivel neck. This took me the longest time to do, and I'm still not good at quickly judging energy situations. SA includes the important stuff about whats right there -- where the planes are, where the non-icon dots are, who's moving how fast -- but you ALSO think about whats likely to come.
Edit... I remembered a great quote from Morpheus: "the only time you should look forward in a furball is when you pull the trigger." Remember that situations include your position relative to enemy aribases, how many friendlies are behind you to scare off enemies, what security zones you can escape to (like carriers, etc) should the need arise.
Fifth, dont think you need high level fancy pants ACM skills to do well. If you have SA, pay attention to how your spending your E, and know a few basic things like the Yoyo, the rope, the barrell roll, and the immelman -- you can rock in the MA. The energy part is important....while its tempting to scream down from 15k on a con, it's really bad to do. He has lots of time to spot you, and you'll be SO fast that even a little move will get him clear. I've heard some veteran players say that burning E and giving up alt easily are sure signs of Newbdom, adn I'd have to agree.
I'd be happy to fly with you some and help any way I can -- PM me here or look me up in MA. I have a feeling you'll do well in AH, especially if you keep appraoching things like you have here.
