Training arena really is mis-named. Unfortunatly most of the people there are newbies or mediocre pilots booting thier ego by shooting down newbies.
*maneuvers behind ya*
*check6*
*starts shooting*
If you want to get started, I'd reccomend using the HTC website's help, and the key/stickmapping windows to learn the controls. (Try and avoid questions like "What key raises my gear?" when it's listed under keymapping.) Then head over to the main arena. As long as you're polite, and avoid questions which are readily listed in the help, players in the main arena are more than happy to answer questions.