Start Aces High, at the first screen you have the options of going offline, online, h2h, etc.
H2h is basicly someone hosting their own server. It has 8 players maximum capacity, & uses htc's password server. Otherwise they are all hosted by someone other than HTC.
Once in the H2H screen you have the option of hosting, or joining another session.
H2H is a good place to work on basic skills before you start flying online.
Or if you can't quite manage the 15$ a month yet.