After being a professor and teaching lectures on the dynamics of compressible and incompressible media and meteorology for over 30 years, I am wondering, who believes theoretical knowledge makes a better pilot?
I have seen many great intuitive pilots, which were absolutely lousy students. I also regret to have let pass quite some great theoretical buttheads, which became the lousiest pilots ever.
There are certain parts of theory, I believe make a better pilot, if the physics and chemistry is well understood. One most prominent example is weather. If you understand the complex system of weather, it gives you opportunities for great piloting. But, apart from the very basics of lift and flying, I now believe it is much more important to focus on other things. Maybe I am getting too old, but there is not much into from the theory of flying you really need to practice flying. Or are the younger ones already overwhelmed by the simplest things?