When I was a teenager in the early 80s I both learned to fly (eventually becoming a flight instructor and charter pilot) and learned to program. There was definitely a synergy between the two. My systems perspective was formed in an environment where decisions managing relatively complex interactions with the physical world have serious consequences in a matter of a few minutes or sooner.

Emotionally IT/programming haven't been nearly as satisfying as successfully managing a flight in adverse or challenging circumstances. Bush runways, unexpected weather changes, etc....