Can anyone name a few basic/common defensive and offensive maneuvers that I can research and practice before I come into the online AH world? Right now I fly a few offline sorties every morning and evening, practicing gunnery and landing.
Now that I can finally land without crashing and looking like a dork, (most times)! 
Ready to add a few new elements to my practice sessions. 
A barrel roll defense, a break turn, and a split S are most likely the top 3 defensive moves.
Barrel roll, used more often on a guy that is dropping in on you with a big speed difference (tho you can use it with a small speed difference tougher and different timing). The idea is you fly around the inside edge of a barrel, while the bad guy blows strait through.
Break turn, as a guy is closing you start a turn (more often than not nose down a bit to build speed, and to make them build MORE speed) As they get closer and closer you tighten your turn more and more. The tighter the turn the easier for them to black out trying to turn harder (to pull lead for a shot).
Split S, just a hard evasive, roll over and pull on the stick hard to get into a sharp dive, pick and angle to "egress" (run!) that is harder for the bad guy to take with out blacking out or burning a ton of E.
Im sure someone who is a bit better at this can explain it better, but its a start for you. Hope to see you in the air soon!
