Sounds like you are on the right track. Plane choice is key to learning in the first couple of months. I am coming up on a year playing the game, and still feel like a noob.
As others have mentioned, seek time with a trainer. I spent 2 weeks reading the rules before signing on to the MA, and still did stupid things. I remember trying to destroy a town in a tank and didn't know how to zoom in on the tank sight. I was trying to blow up buildings with smoke rounds(duh). One of the longer time players was giving me crap instead of helping, boy was I embarrased.
I like your thinking, study the trainers site (soda's aircraft evaluations, etc )and read the help. The more you know, the better you will be.
