Can't you tell by feeling if you're progressing?
Nope.
I like to watch my hit%. If for the tour it stays above 5 I'm doing what I want. While flying it sometimes feels like all I do is miss and spray, but as long as I see the numbers maintain I know is just what Im feeling at the time, but not what is really happening.
I also like to watch my k/d and k/sortie. Again, sometimes it feels like all I do is lift off get my wheels up and Im in the tower. Checking those stats on the score page lets me know if that is what is really happening, or am I averaging out at a higher count. If they are higher it lets me know that while I may get hammered quick alot I do fight my way out often enough to off set it.
Progressing? LOL!!!! after 12+ years I think Im all done "progressing", Im just working on maintaining what little I have! LOL!