My biggest fear is that actually I can't fly for toffee, I've got away with it by pure luck so far, and that the next checkride will find me out
Exactly how I feel!!!!!
I recently took on someone else's student, an instructor who'd left. The chap had about 12 hours, and I'd been told he was doing quite well. He started the checks and start-up, and was obviously absolutely terrified of making a mistake. I finally stopped him and had a chat, telling him I knew he hadn't flown for a bit, wasn't there to criticise him, wasn't bothered if he made mistakes, and knew exactly how he felt as I hated flying with new people too. I think it helped, not sure...anyway, he's still flying with me.
mjc269,
You are not alone, not at all. But can any of us explain it? Not sure. It sounds a little like a lack of confidence thing...which is better than over-confidence anyway. Try just accepting that this is the way you are and don't fight it. Not sure if that'll make it go away, but at least it'll stop you complicating the issue.