Well… Being the newest member to respond to this post so far, here is where I stand:
Somewhere around step 3. I learn a little more each time I fly and/or read this BB. I usually try and work things out myself unless I’m in a sticky situation. (I.e. being on the ground in an M3 for the first time, on an enemy base, and madly trying to map the “open doors” for vehicles before the bad guys show up)
Don’t think I’ll ever make it to 4, 5, or 6. I’ve never been in or flew the real thing so, how the hell do I know if its over modeled or not. I leave it to the capable developer who has obviously done more research than I have on the subject. Enough to program the model in the first place. If it’s wrong, again how do I know, I just fly it and have fun learning.
7 & 8 – not real sure I know who Mitsu is, sounds like someone I should put on my list though.
Never flown the 202. Not sure if I will. My current plane set knowledge is somewhat limited to my skill level. Right now I’m trying, once again, the P51. I will figure out why so many people like it!
Never been able to save more than one teammate, but I’m trying.
I have successfully de-acked and taken a “V” field all by myself

Posting for “newbies”, try to keep to a minimum as to not show my arse too much
Additional step… Withdrawal symptoms appearing when the work load, and wife load reach a level of interference that result in a (as my boss would put it) “A complete discontinuance and disruption which results in a non-service delivery situation”

Zippatuh - Finally some flight time tonight!