I do not recommend padlock.
For one simple reason: padlock view only keeps track of ONE opponent... in a multi-bogey enviroment, it would be practically useless and cost you more SA then it might bring. Also, since it keeps the sight on the opponent, you have little to no visual cues as to your own attiude and heading.
In my opinion its a lot better to learn how to use the "manual" view system (hatswitch) properly. That is something you can practice and simply needs a little time and experience.
First "exercise" can be: Up at a base and climb to about 5K altitude... then start maneuvering - loops, rolls, turns, whatever you can think of. Keep the indestructible Hangar in your view at all times while you maneuver. When you are down to treetop levels, just climb back up.
A little more "advanced" would be doing the same OFFLINE, keeping one of the drones (always the same one!) in your sights. That is a little more difficult as it is also moving.
Last but not least - come to the Training Arena. Youll usually find someone willing to "maneuver/sparr" with you and just concentrate on keeping your eyes on him in a non combat situation. A training partner can also tell you where he is in case you loose track.
One thing I did in multibogey enviroments in the past is "mark" one opponent with TAB (makes a little box around the icon), to help me keep track of a single plane in a big (and sometimes confusing) furball. But as my SA developed, i needed this help less and less and practically never use it anymore.
