Originally Posted by
stealth114
I myself solo'd at 39 hrs and I had done 100 landings prior to doing that solo despite the fact that it took me 5-6 days from day 1 to do my first ever landing.. It took that much more to refine it and where my CFI and I both felt totally secure and confident without a doubt.
You probably know that 39 hours is on the high side. Everyone is different, but of the sake if discussion, did you go through a part 61 or 141(2) school? Also, how frequently were you flying? Finally, how "cautious" was your CFI, do you think you may have inherited some that?
Years ago, I worked in a Part 141 school and had an approved "script" that I was expected to work from. We got all the required maneuvers complete and I had many students solo between 10-15 hours. These were all motivated frequent flyers in a structured environment. I'd say that well over half of them got their Private ticket between 40-50 hours.
I think the environment that you work in (142 or 61) and the support that you have available will be a huge factor on time to solo/ticket. It's not really fair to compare apples to oranges.
That said, its natural to take a deep breath and cross your fingers the first time you leave any student in a running airplane.