A old book called "Stick and Rudder" that was standard reading for pilots 50 years ago tossed much theory out the door and goes as far as expressing some disdain for the engineers who consider it important and try to convince the pilots it is important for them to understand.... so that gives your question some historical context.

Of course, if the engineers listened to the pilots who held those opinions, there'd be no planes for them fly.

The book, doesn't completely toss theory. It does explain and consider important many of the items you noted in your first post.
Disdain is reserved for more esoteric (to the layman) concepts such as circulation, and to a certain even thngs as basic an Mr Bernoulli's theory (as I recall...).

Here is the book, it is a worthwile read, and considering it is still in print, must be in regular demand:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846