I've been on here for a while now, I'm 50 y/o have NEVER played video games, ...
Never played video game? I've been hooked since Pong cost a quarter.
It takes a long time to learn this game. Yes it's a blast while you're learning, but shouldn't we take newer players/team-mates under our wings? Especially squady's? Some minor things are Sooooo helpful and we're not always too busy to tell someone how to get ship guns trained on hangers or bldgs. or how to set your view preferences, or to zoom all the way in with brackets.
I am approaching two years and I am still discovering new techniques. For beginners, there is a page out there that has the key commands and a few dot commands. I can't find the link, but here is a link to the official version:
http://www.hitechcreations.com/frindex.htmlPlease pass on the simple things and mentor the players near you.
OK. Stuff I remember being revelations:
1. Flying bombers from the outside with the rudder keys. Set autopilot. Go to a gunner position. Go to F3 outside view. Turn left or right with 'A' or 'D' keys. 'S' centers rudder.
2. For level bombing, calibrate to E6B True Air Speed. Open clipboard map. Open E6B. When the airspeed is stable, calibrate to within 2 knots. Can also be used to adjust actual airspeed to your calibration.
3. Fire IL-2 main cannon alone. Fire secondary only so the MGs don't give you impact sprites.
4. Flaps in close quarter ACM. Still haven't mastered it, but some planes have high speed flaps that are useful bringing a plane over the top.
There are guys in the game who have forgotten more than I'll ever know. There have got to be more little tid bits out there. And I am not talking about the 'shoot the guy before he shoots you' advice.
P.S. Be nice to little kids too. I've heard a couple really get their feelings hurt & then didn't see them again(I'm a grampa X 7). 
I am all for patience with kids, when the kids are not completely obnoxious.