Re:: Learning to fly:: There are several servers with large maps like Caspian, Firestorm and Kharg with just 6/8/12/16 slots set up. Quite often someone will use the AA and spoil the fun but it's good for unlocking vehicles. But crippled since the minimum player 4 thing though. Search for Flying or Practise or School.
Keeping it interesting My initial goal with BF3 is to get all ribbons (only M-COM defender left. Further goal is to get all medals (M-COM ones will be the hardest, stationary weapons the most boring). I'd also like to get all the Dogtags and thats why all guns get used up to 500 kills. I won't cheat or use exploits to get me there either.
I got all pins and badges and stuff in BC2 (even the Mines) and I enjoyed the journey and getting experience of different roles so thought that even though the task is much harder with BF3 it'll keep me occupied for a while. I don't care much about KD.