Single greatest piece of advice

[The Fugitive]

Have Patience !!! The "game" and "skills" take months, if not years to learn well, never mind perfect. Give it time, you'll get it all sorted out some day.

[Oldman731]

Keep your eye on the enemy, track him, study him, and fly your plane to where your looking. Don't just look at where your flying. 

Agreed.  Learn to fly while looking out the back.  Single most important thing to learn.

- oldman

[TonyJoey]

Wait till you see the rivets on his plane before shooting 
Except on HeadOn's

[bozon]

Take a chance and fight! Remember: you only live once... per sortie.

[DamnedRen]

Spend time with a Trainer.

Ren

[BillyD]

turn the fn stall limiter off 

[waystin2]

Have fun, and make fun for others.

[Steve]

turn the fn stall limiter off 

+1

[Kazaa]

Film your fights.

+1.

[LYNX]

The best piece of advise I could give to any new player is to consistently ask yourself this 1 little question. 

"How did he do that"

[Ack-Ack]

Best tip I can give anyone is never stand near an open flame after eating Mexican food.


ack-ack

[Stampf]

Retain an excellent divorce lawyer.

[ImADot]

Don't worry about score or how many times you get shot down - just have fun.

[texasmom]

Wow, great thread 

[cactuskooler]

Learn how to make vertical or horizontal separation before the merge to give you room for a lead turn. Many fights can be won in a single turn if you catch the other guy not worrying about denying you a lead turn.