Hi, and welcome aboard!...I am new to this game as well, I've only had it a few weeks now. As you know it comes with a huge learning curve and is known as a true "study sim" which is a breed of game that had pretty much gone extinct years ago, at least until now :pilotfly:.
Here is what I think is the single most important tip for folks like us who are so new to this sim:
1. BE VERY PATIENT with yourself, the game and the tutorials you're about to weed through over the next couple of weeks. Some are not so easy to follow and not all have voice overs. Take it very slow, and one thing at a time.
...for instance..it's going to take you a few days or even a week to get your joystick buttons all setup just the right way to your liking, take a look at some other people's configurations to guide you but in the end it is personal preference and that will take some experience in using the sim to know whats most important to you...therefore it is likely that your setup will change a few times until you get it just right.
As far as joystick types, a full HOTAS system is what you really need for this game if you intend on getting away from the keyboard during combat missions. The Saitek X-52 Pro is about the cheapest FULL Hotas around that has enough buttons, switches and powerful enough software to accomplish some of the more daunting multi-keystroke and timed combinations that await you. Be aware though that you will likely find some driver issues in the beginning.
As far as the game...one thing at a time, and slowly...so spend a few days just learning the plane itself and how to start it, take off, navigate around the map, and landing it. Once you can start, fly and navigate in your sleep then spend another few days just getting to learn the guns and rockets, then another few days learning the Maverick missiles...and so on. Spend lots of time with each weapon getting to know one at a time as well as you can and what it IS and is NOT capable of doing for you out in the field.
There are tons of tips for this game that will help you...but it all starts with the learning process itself so that is why im stressing that aspect. If you rush it, and push yourself into combat too soon you will not enjoy the experience at all.
Also, if you are looking for someone to practice and learn with feel free to shoot me a Private Message on here with your email address and we can get together on voice.
Good luck!!...and enjoy it!