Originally Posted by 172_driver
The CFI didn't agree with me at all. He referred to "A superior pilot is a pilot who uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which might require superior skill". He claims he wants to educate pilots who use their good judgement before their good skills.
Disclaimer: I'm not a flying instructor and don't even pretend to be one on TV, your CFI makes the rules, and you must abide by them.
The CFI is quite correct in saying that a superior pilot uses superior judgement to avoid having to use superior skill. However, that old saying implies that you have some superior skill to avoid using. I think he is somewhat missing the point if he thinks that by teaching good judgement, there is no need to teach or practice good skills. There will always be times where skills are required no matter how good the judgement is.
Besides, I don't think landing in a crosswind up to the demonstrated limit for the aircraft is demonstrating superior skill anyway, it should be something that anyone can handle adequately.
If you are unsure of your crosswind skills, then I think you should request some dual in a strong crosswind, then at least you'll feel better about it and if the opportunity comes up later to do some by yourself, take it up. Of course you should always make sure you have a backup plan. Don't go and practice cross wind landings in winds approaching your own limits, at an airfield with just one runway. You need to have an into wind runway available in case the cross winds proove a little too demanding.
Ultimately though, the CFI runs the show, he's responsible to the flight school's owners, and if he is uncomfortable letting you solo in certain conditions, then that is that.
Edited to add: There is a difference between someone having good judgement, and someone making decisions that they think their superiors want them to make. Someone with good judgement will make the same good decision regardless of whether they are under the guidance of an instructor or not. It sounds like you guys would be out practicing in stronger cross winds if you could, therefore I'm not sure that the CFI is teaching you anything more than to follow his rules.