Here is what their enemies are up against: Approximately 10,000 apply for Fighter Pilot path in each class. They are the collective number 1s and number 2s and number 3s of their High Schools, who also got the equivalent of 2400 on their SATs and are mostly the captains of their school soccer teams. They are 100% fluent in Hebrew, and most likely have at least a high school fluency in English. So pilots as young as 21-22 were taking part in combat sorties. Their reflexes are best at that age, reflexes will start to slow in the mid 20’s range. Israeli pilots, are officers, do not have to have any post secondary education. Achmed had better just bend over, it doesn’t matter what he is flying!
I remember in Saburo Sakai’s book the Japanese Navy was nearly unbelievable in their pilot selection and training prior to Pearl Harbor. I don’t recall the details but I doubt any country had such high standards.
He also said it turned out to be a big mistake. They washed out lots of excellent pilots who they could have used later.