I've been firing a ton of IGLA missiles, but my hit rate is extremely low.

The way I use it is: aim → wait for lock-on → fire... and that's it.

Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to keep aiming at the aircraft after firing so the missile can continue tracking it, or does it guide itself once it's locked on?

Thanks!

Read the description.

Wait for pilot to use flairs before releasing

How is that different from the stinger?

The description implies that it requires aiming to maintain lock but i think they scrubbed that mechanic as bitch ass little bird pilots kept complaining their flares werent working. Now if you notice no matter what angle if you maintain an aim lock it slaps onto the flares and has a specific amount of time before you can relock the vehicle. The missiles appear to guide themselves reguardless of if you aim or not

Lockon to the target, fire the missile, continue holding the lock, the target will use flares, you will get nothing and uninstall the game.

That is how you use the IGLA.

It’s almost like the AA in this game is incredibly broken. Like those shitty jets with double the amount of flares and all this “below radar” BS

If you regain lock after the flares dissipate you might get a hit from the same missile, but it’s so rare. You really need to follow up with another missile before the aircraft’s flares recharge.
The real value of AA is area denial, as it’s so easy for pilots to evade the missile. If someone is painting life gets a lot easier for AA.

Shoot, hold and keep lock on the target is more effective for me and I don't know why

You have to actively watch the target regardless.

And if you get a second lock on then they will just go below radar and it will miss anyway. Ridiculous and illogical behaviour.

According to the description if you keep aiming at the jet/heli the rocket should hit it even after they launch the flares but that never happened to me.

But if no one releases, it'll never use flares, right?

Seems like someone has to fire a dud in most cases.

Lock on the target, play a game of chicken and see if they use flares.... If they do you can relock on pretty quick.... Fire.

Especially helpful if another player fires at their flares.

Lock on to target...play a game of chicken and wait for him to release flares first...somebody shoots a missile, he flares....(now's your chance!) You re-lock on to him....he is now out of range and his flares has recharged ☹️ you quit and uninstall the game