The lethality is such in game that a minor mistake gets you killed right away. There is so little chance of reversing a bad position in combat that most people tend to play in such a way that they make no mistakes. Ping BOOM, dead.
Well to be fair my comment was as pertains to squads/missions, not as individuals, but I still think you can turn the tables on all but the most elite in the game. When I was CO of the Mafia and we had just come over to Aces High from AWIII (may EA rot in hell for all times) most of the squad was use to relaxed realism flying and the new flight model was really giving them a hard time. Timing was wayyyyy off due to game speed differences and such. I worked with them at NOT giving up in a fight. Just that little thing pushed them enough to start winning fights. I told them he's on your 6 and your about to be shot down, you have nothing to lose, TRY TURNING THE TABLES ON THEM!
The point of the game is combat. Mistakes happen, learn to fight your way out of it. Yes there are some skilled players in this game, but they make mistakes sometimes too.
