Not at all, Karnak.
It is merely about the usual odds in an environment which the conditions are random. The battle field is random, and yet, still has some probabilities being higher than others.
You can't determine who you are going to fight, in what circumstances. (...actually, if you have a better plane, THAT will allow you to determine those circumstances. The pilot, cannot do that. Only the plane can do that.)
In that sense, the probability of meeting a pilot with skills that would overcome initial disadvantage in plane or tactical condition is is almost unlikely. Meeting them is like playing the lottery. In a mixed up lotto-world of AH, usually the numbers will be for "Billy Bob", almost never "Drex" or "Leviathan" or "Fester".
Also, the probability of the average "me" in this game, being a pilot skillful enough to overcome advantages, is also very low. How many of us mediocre guys fly out there on the battling skies thinking "I know I'm better than most"?
...
So what happens? Everybody knows they are Billy Bob. They also know the odds are, they will meet another Billy Bob. So, that would probably mean neither I, nor him, would be skillful enough.
What is the most reasonable solution to gain advantage in this conflict?
a) learn more skill. So I am confident in any plane
b) get a better plane
Compared to solution b), solution a) is way too unstable. You can't measure your skill in numbers or units. Everything is always relative, and even if you practice a lot, you still can meet a genuine Drex or Levi or Fester or Karnak flying atound. Also, no matter how skilled you are, a sudden change of pace can lead to your doom.
Soooo.. the reasonable answer, is simple.
1) Me Billy Bob, will be killed anyway, if I ever meet a genuine Drex/Fester/Levi/Karn in a good plane.. but if I am in a hot-rod plane, at least I can run away if for any chance those Drex/Fester/Levi/Karns are not in a speed demon.
2) Besides, me Billy Bob, has significant advantage over enemy Billy Bobs who aren't using a good plane.
3) So, if enemy Billy Bob also rides in a good plane, at least the odds are 50:50. If enemy Billy Bob comes out in a sucky plane, the odds are for me. If I go out in a sucky plane, the odds are overwhelmingly against me.
4) The most reasonable solution with quick results - plane. Not the pilot.
Now, imagine a war full of Billy Bobs on both sides. Yup. Planes make more difference than Pilots. (but in that situation, numbers make more difference than both Planes and Pilots combined.. but that is for another equation..)
Of course, in a limited environment with limited conditions.. for instance, the CT with few people, planes with generally equal performance.. then, the pilot factor suddenly becomes very important. But only in those situations.
