InCrypt, some friendly advice from a washed up old cyber stick...
If you want to be "good", you have to learn how to fight. There is only one way to learn how to fight, in my opinion. You find a stick you respect a lot, you ask him to take you to the DA. You then fight said stick ad nauseum. Each time you fight, film it. Go back and WATCH the films. Hell, when I would show guys the ropes I'd be talking to them the whole time during the fight so they could get feedback on what the "bad guy" was seeing. I personally prefer that to watching film, but watching film is educational as well. Once you can beat your mentor 50% of the time, pick a new mentor. Be nice and respectful about it though, you'll get farther with honey ... etc.
Learn how to merge cold and maneuver for the shot, you'll live longer than if you joust on every merge. That'll come with the DA time though.
I'd also recommend starting with a 'fighting' plane with good firepower like a Spitfire, Hurricane, or a Ki-84 (or N1K2). The Spit 16 is probably the most well rounded plane in the game, unless a lot has changed since last I flew. Don't be a plane snob, that can come after you've learned what you are doing.
I used to really enjoy teaching folks, it was much more rewarding than the MA rat race. My biggest problem is I couldn't handle raw newbies, other folks had to get them started and to a certain level before I could take them on.