We read all sorts of things in the press!
Overall, I have yet to come across a CAA incident report submitted because a solo student had to complete an unauthorised crosscountry flight in the interest of safety.
I believe that the number of such "diversions" compared to the number of circuit details flown by both PPL and students puts the probability in the 10 to the -9 category of unlikely.............(provided that the weather etc was properly checked).
The chances of an engine failure resulting in serious injury in a light aircraft is far more probable than having to make such a diversion.
If there is evidence that diversions are likely, then solo should be delayed until after the navigation elements........i.e. no solo until the very end of the PPL training!
Which way should we have ti then in the interests of maintaining safety?
Regards,
DFC