You need an autopilot
You can't use standard AI principles for aircraft AI, because most of the rules don't apply to it. I would suggest getting the aircraft controllable, so it might be controlled by straightforward inputs, like desired speed, pitch and yaw. Then with that, make the aircraft adjust to suit a heading, velocity and flying height - by adjusting pitch and yaw etc. That would be a good start to having the aircraft follow waypoints. While adjusting things to suit the desired heading, check the ground heights in front of the aircraft, maybe scan a forward location depending on the aircraft velocity - so if the aircraft is moving faster, scan the ground further away. Ideally you would be able to detect when the aircraft is heading towards a mountain, and have it adjust it's pitch or use an inbetween waypoint to avoid it.
Then once that is working, you can add a radar, so that targets can be identified - like scan through all the target objects and check their distance from the aircraft. Once a target is identified, go into dogfight mode, like head towards a constantly moving target location, behind the enemy aircraft, or above a ground target. When the target is in firing range, have the AI aim towards the location in front of the enemy depending on the enemy speed and bullet speed - if the enemy is static, then the target would be the enemy itself, otherwise have it work out the expected position and aim towards that.
Heat seeking missiles might use a very similar system, once the autopilot is in place it could be used for missiles too - just forgoe the height checks.

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