Always had a general interest in WW2, planes in particular. I'm no history buff, but had read my share of stuff way back when.
Found AW3 on Gamestorm, stuck with them until it imploded under EA then came over here.
Basically I just like to blow %$@& up, preferably someone in another plane.
I've touched on all aspects this game has to offer, but being a lone wolf luring a few (2-3 pls, 4,5,6,7,8, is... uhhh - castrati land) planes aside from the lemming trail for a quiet mugging was always my thing. This came about because my computers have generally been on the lower end and massive furballs around bases tended to wreck my FPS.
I've been mostly self-taught as well with a tip here and there giving me that "click" of insight. It's helped that i've been able to encounter and duel players better than myself. Shaw? Never read him except when others referenced him. Badboy's performance graph thingys? No clue how to understand them. The luxury of literally 1000's of hours "flying" where death just means getting a new plane has allowed me to develop into the player I became (talent-wise anyway.)
Deliberately flying and dying at a disadvantage over and over in various planes instilled a confidence that I can give a good go in anything versus anything under any circumstances (even those 4 slobberdonkeys in the conga line behind me.)