Comparing WoT to AH2, I have to admit its alot easier in AH2
Probably because we don't have invisible tanks and prototype tanks that 1 hit kill everything.
As for the OP, I've unlocked all jet equipments and the guided missile, air radar and autoloader is my set up. Once you get the Below Radar perk, nothing can stop you except MGs and AAAs. 99% of the pilots in BF3 doesn't know hoot about flying, and I grin evilly whenever a jet map starts loading, because I know that THAT sky, is mine.

A little tip, watch your Gs meter in the cockpit. The higher it is, the tighter your turn. If you tap S(default de-accelerate) you can get a small turn boost. The Su-37 and F18 can hold on its "butter" zone by constantly tapping S, which is around 300mph. (Normal is 350mph without tapping). The F35, A10, and Su25 can only get a small boost because their "butter" zone seems to be an exact number, 290-310, and it's almost impossible to tap S and keep it at that speed. So you can only tap S once, get a small boost in turning, kick in afterburner, tap S again and rinse/repeat.
Not a lot of people know about this, and the tip in the loading screen is wrong when it says faster means better turning.