Havent tried to duel anybody yet. Is the DA a good place to learn?
Whats your in game name?
TA is the best place to get started. Learn the basics there, take offs, landings, basic flight maneuvers (Lessons by a trainer this Saturday 6-11
SEE THIS THREAD), even some advance air combat maneuvers. The trainers will work with you as much as you want.
DA is good when you hook up with guys you get to know and who have been around awhile, and who are better than you. The 1 vs 1 time can be some very intenst learning time and accelerates your learning due to the fights being closer together with the other guy more often than not telling you what you did wrong and how to "fix" it.
Main arenas are for fun and to try and put into practice all that you've learned. The situations won't all be as cut and dried as the training ones, but the more you practice the better you get.
Good Luck !