The spits are the easiest to learn in. Also the easiest to get kills in. The draw back is a good hit in the wing and your dead. All the planes have a trade off of one kind or another. That is one of the hurdles you will have to get over to get better. Knowing that your plane can climb better than the one chasing you, can be used to drag him up , turn around and shoot him. On the other hand if HE'S got the better climbing plane you don't really want to try that. See what I mean?
First accept the fact your going to die A LOT! It will be easier for you

Second learn the Basic maneuvers the they will be doing to class on Wed night. They WILL apply to all planes. So do the advanced maneuvers , but some planes do some better than others.
Practice the basic maneuver until you can do them with your eyes closed.
Once you can handle your plane and make it do what YOU want it to do knowing how far you can push the limits and such, THEN it will be time to learn to kill, and survive.
There are a lot of great people who will help, just ask. Good Luck, and Welcome !