Fresh to see enthusiasm and excitement on the boards, instead of complaining and purse-fights.

One good tool available to you is the film viewer. When you're about to enter a fight (or are watching one from the outskirts), start recording film - unless you have the auto-recorder activated upon starting a sortie. Save the film and then later, when you exit the game, go watch the film from all sorts of angles and speeds. See what the guys are doing - speed, angles, manuevers, etc. and then practice some of that yourself. Get with a trainer to help explain stuff and get into good habits - scanning the important instruments, scanning the airspace around you, deciding if you have advantage or disadvantage and what to do about it, etc., etc.
The single most important thing to remember about this game is: it's a game and is meant to be fun. Play it as you see fit and have fun doing it.
Oh, and welcome to the game.
