AH has a very steep learning curve, when you think you are good someone will come along and sweep the floor with ya.....don't worry about dieing, there are free planes in the hanger.....the only way to learn is to do it......if you are worried about dieing then you are missing the point of a combat game, trust me when I say, if you fight all the time, under ALL circumstances.....you will get to the point that most will die to you in a 1vs1, because they are to worried about dieing, so they don't push it and never really learn how to fight.......
I have been flying in AH for about 6 years total, without any real time flying in a sim before.(except FA a month or so)
all I have done in AH since I began was fight, all odds........ all circumstances.....I have won 3vs1 many times, and won up to 7vs1.....
if you want to be a killer, then fight every chance you get...if you want to be known for never dieing then get in a squad,only fly with a bunch of green guys..... learn to BnZ, stay fast.....and never engage unless you hold all advantages.