Okay, so for newbies that are learning flying games in general (this was my first 3D PvP game, and first aerial combat game) there is one particular line of aircraft (A/C) that helped me out a LOT: the British Spitfires.
Why, you ask?
The spits do not excel at anything, but they are very solid at everything. Learning to fly the Spitfire will give you ample opportunity for the following:
Boom n' Zoom (BnZ) and Turn n' Burn (TnB). The Spitfire has an excellent rate of climb and performs vertical loops very well, though it does not retain the energy or reach the altitudes of some other planes. It will BnZ the better turn fighters, and TnB the better energy fighters.
Responsive, but not twitchy.
Machine Guns (more difficult), or Cannons (easier).
Somewhat durable - neither paper thin like the Japanese (IJN) planes, nor made of Adamantium like the U.S. planes.
The engine is not well protected... equip the restarter.
Train your pilot in both Engine Guru and Veteran - you will need both of those skills to make the most of this line.
Medium altitude. The tier 5 Spitfire I is king.
Learn when to BnZ an opponent, and when to TnB - this is by far the best line for that, IMO. Some of the Russian La's are also good contenders for this - I am currently working my way up, so don't have enough practical experience to back up any advice on which is better. I hear the premium tier-5 German "Messerspit" is a lot of fun.
Good luck newbies, see you in the skies.
-Jek