braceletwinner
Filing Flight Plan
I have had eight flight lessons (plus a discovery flight) for a total time of 9.8 hours using the Jeppesen 141 program. I feel that I am learning and getting better every time out, which of course is the goal. My instructor thinks that I will be ready to solo after one more flight lesson, and I somewhat agree, but I do have reservations. Based on talks with friends that are pilots, most took 15-20 to solo, and I don't know why I would be any different. I don't think of myself as a "natural", but I have studied my butt off the past few weeks and am committed to 3-5 weather-dependent lessons a week. I'm solid on the radio, taxiing, slow flight, stall-recovery, flying the pattern, and approaches, but my flares/landings could use some work. I guess that's what we'll work on in the next lesson, and if he's comfortable, I'll be soloing this weekend (pending my written and medical, which will be done tomorrow). My real question is this: If I am still pretty nervous about my landings (or any portion of flight), should I still trust that my instructor knows that I am ready, even though I may not feel quite that confident yet (and will only have ~11 hours)? I know I won't be scared to death and can almost certainly put the plane down safely, but I know it won't be pretty.