I would be much more ok with someone who failed the test but knew how to pilot a plane vs someone who aced the test but can’t figure out how to get the engine started.

One who cannot start the engine cannot kill me.

One who cannot calculate how much fuel he needs to cross the lake will kill me.

Remember JFKjr? He killed himself, his fiance and her friend because he did not pay attention to the instruments.

An acquaintance of mine died trying to fly through a thunderstorm. Another one didn't pay attention to the weather and nearly died from wing icing.

Flying is no joke.