For aviation photography use a good tele lens or zoom lens. At least 300mm, 400 or 500 is better. Get used to using the camara with this big heavy lens. Don't use a tripod unless you are primarily interested in static shots or have trouble keeping the camara steady. It limits your options. Move around your object if at all possible. When photographing a display team try to concentrate on their strong points.
US teams are very good in formation flights, the Red Arrows make spectacular breaks with coloured smoke, the italians have great solo pairs.
Use as slow a film (setting for you're digital camara) as feasable for the current conditions. Try and stand at about half lenght of the runway and somewhat elevated. You will be able to take better shots with less spectators crowding your view. This point is also the focus point for display teams most of the time. And you will be able to get good front and back shots of planes taking of and landing. Make series of shots, this is especially important when trying to capture breaks. Change your aperture and figure out what settings you like best, only the plane in focus, everything in focus, somewhere in between... Use fast shutter settings, but as slow as you can get away with, this will give you more options for your aperture.
Try to use both black and white and colour, black and white is very good for playing with shadows and can render spectacular results in twilight if used to its potential. Colour captures "reality" better and is great when photographing display teams.
Practice (a lot!) and develop your own style. Learn the rules of photography, they are a great foudation, and play with bending or breaking them. This can be very effective if you know what rule you are breaking and what the effect is you're looking for.
Read: Kodak Complete Book of Photography if you can get it. It is a well written book which covers all the basics and then some...
My 2 cents from the top of my head.