Controls

Activate 1: Lights
Activate 2: Formation Lights
...
Activate 5: Drag Chute
Activate 6: Boost (Above %50)
Activate 7: Gyroscope
Activate 8: Disable Certain Command Surfaces
VTOL: Flaps
Trim: Trim (It does have trim)

Taking off:

Simply Don't :P Just start in the air. I was too lazy to find a solution for the instability problem which occurs during takeoff. It might also happen during landing too but if you butter the landing (ag7) it shouldn't be a problem.

Flight:

While flying at high speeds, using all the command surfaces might be (and is) painful, you can deactivate/activate bigger control segments by Activation Group 8. Flaps do improve your manevuerability, use them; basically your turn rate upgrades from a F-104 to F-14 :P

Also, above %50 power (AG6 should be activated for this) , additional rocket boosters activate.

Landing:

Set thrust to %1 percent, flaps down and lower the landing gear (which is also your speed brake), land smooth as possible (ag5).