Why is it that I cannot get close enough to other fighters to be able to see what I am shooting at? I can merely guess where birthplace is, based on where their name is.

Hate to say It. but that's how this game works
Part of the skill is lining up your sights on that sweet spot to get the kill.
A bit of advice.
When the other guy's bullets start lining up to close, do a little scoot or small dive, so he has to line up all over again. And you'll be closer when pull up to aim. Thus making him easier to see.

If I am on the German side, I can usually see the dark silhouette of the enemy plane against the sky. If I can't see them, I dive down and get them so I see the dark dot against the sky. The issue with being on the Allied side is that you are flying right towards the mountain, which is dark. That is why I try to fly really low to the ground in order to see the enemy plane. If you need to get closer, simply start flying upside down (fun), doing barrel rolls (REALLY fun), aileron rolls (kinda fun), egg rolls (don' ask me why this is going I. here, I don't know), or whatever else you can do to mot be flying straight and level. If worst comes to worst, dodge and turn fight.

oldcoolc wrote: Why is it that I cannot get close enough to other fighters to be able to see what I am shooting at? I can merely guess where birthplace is, based on where their name is.

Play on a 60-inch monitor like some players must be doing. If you're on a phone, you've already got two strikes against you.