If you REALLY want to learn about good pilots, watch the show "Dog fights" on the history channel.
I mean imagine trying to land a plane with damage like THIS...
This B17 Bomber was clipped by a German fighter, which took off the vertical tailplanes and severely damaged the structure of the entire aircraft. Take in consideration that the planes in those days did not have hydraulic powered steering or computer powered fly-by-wire, that meant that the pilot had to put in superhuman effort to keep his stricken plane airborn. Because the one system they did have were wires and pullies connected to the stick and the rudder pedals, just getting one of these airborne took some considerate pulling power. And added to the considerate physical effort, the pilot also had to fly really carefully, make a bend too steep and the plane would just break in two. This pilot, Ladies and Gentlemen, made Olympic athletes look like chess players.
