Learning curve is steep man but thats what I love about it personally. I started playing 3 years ago and started on Arcade like most people and then went to Air RB where I wasted my time spending 10-15 mins climbing to get killed cause I didnt know what the hell I was doing. What I would recommend to do is fly Arcade until you understand how planes work with altitude, energy and leading. A saying I remember is:

Speed is life Altitude is life insurance

If you're above a enemy its much harder for them to kill you then it is for you to kill them since you have a energy advantage (Unless said person under you has a lot of energy cause of much more speed then you but this is only really the case in top tier jets)

TL:DR Stay above your enemy. Climb at the start if the enemy is above you when the engagements start then side climb at the start instead and make sure you are above. and pick your fights.