Hullo all newbies,
Im still fairly new myself (can't remember exactly when so ill check the date when i post this) and so i remember well the completely overwhelmed feeling!
To echo lots of other people, take cdt (due to an inability to commit timewise i just read it, which im sure isn't as good, but better than nothing) and keep trying the stuff you learn in main game.
Ask at the right time (not on a bomb run!) and most people will help. Just yesterday some kind and elderly vets demo'ed some more advanced dogfighting trickery to me.
keep plugging away, get a decent controller / mouse and don't give up. Everyone says don't try and dogfight at first, and its true that you'll get your ass handed to you more than a few times if you do, but how are you going to get better if you don't give it a go?
Of course, the argument that dogfighting has no real merit in game strategy does hold water, but there will be times when you're forced into it, so load up a game of your own and learn to aim!.
I still suck, but im getting better (i hope

) and now i (mostly) know whats going on i have alot more fun.
Enjoy!, it's the best game ever! (except doctors and nurses)
Bloke.
edit to remove random letters from down here, my lappy is going loco.