The very, very best can still trip over their shoelaces. Neville Duke related a story of when he was demonstrating the Hunter to the Swiss. On the downline from a loop he suddenly realised he had failed to take into account the airfield elevation and resulting density altitude. Got away with it but was a close run thing, with not a little butt clenching. And I don't think anyone would suggest that Neville was anything but the consummate aviator and not want to fall victim to a red mist.