Returning il-2 veteran needs advice

[black1]

Hello all, I am an original old timer to il-2 and after watching for a long time the ups and downs of the new sim I have decided to jump back in and give it a shot now that my comp is very good. I used to fly on a squad with good friends for many years called the DEY squad and my name was DEY-BLACK-USA for those that might remeber, I have ordered the dvd for the sim and understand you have to go through steam which is fine with me, but what I would like to know frommyou all is any tips or things which you all have learned that you can tell me before I get started or need to know. I would like to know if all I need to do is let steam update the game to most recent patch? do I need to turn off any particular setting in the game for better results? does my trackir 5 work right off the bat or do I need to make any changes?

Also if there is any good tutorials to learn engine management or does it come with a manual to learn the planes? anyone on ts and have a ts ip so possibly I could be walked through easier?

thanks all and look forward after many years to be back flying and fighting with you all.

p.s. does anyone know if thr DEY squad still flies on il-2 COD, if so would love to hear from them