Read guides, be active, sell losses until you reach level 15. Join a good faction (ran by veteran players) and be careful when posting in GD. + do crimes. Don't let the nerve bar sit full
welcome to Torn, if you are looking for a faction, we are a faction of mostly new players and active players, stop by and have a look https://www.torn.com/factions.php?step=profile&ID=40905#/
My suggestion is to ask these kind of questions on New Player Chat though (at the bottom of your screen is a chatbox you can open), but also check out the tutorials/guides section of the forums as well.
Well, I use it when I'm flying and it's not that bad. You just don't want to get into a fight or something like that or else there'll be bounties a-plenty.