I often lose the flightpath of my enemy

[ddmd80]

Stick to flying only one aircraft type until you are able to work around that aircrafts "limitations" (this takes a lot of time and patients). When that is achieved you will find that your tactics for that type aircraft: scanning, tracking, engaging and egress all become better because of this. I agree full real settings with cockpit on is the only way to go.

Good Hunting