MPN11,
...where the stick/rudder bit is a subliminal adjunct to all the planning, navigation, ........
Exactly so ! As it was put to us during the war: "
We will teach you to fly an aircraft up to Wings standard. From OTU onward, you will learn to use a particular aircraft (of our choice) as a weapon in which to kill or be killed". As you rightly say, the simple (well, most of the time !) task of handling the thing is but a "subliminal adjunct" to the main duty.
Four Dimensions (inc Time ?) - I had enough trouble with three !,
Danny