Originally Posted by
chillindan
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was really looking for confirmation that this happens to other people as well. I have wanted to learn to fly for such a long time that I have plenty of motivation, but my confidence just took a bit of a knock after sunday.
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Oh yes, it happens to other people! I had all the upper air flying fairly quickly but won't say how many flights it took to get the landings right. What I will say is that it took input from several different instructors. It was also an advantage that we only had glass at my club - I found flying a K13 some time after soloing a quite 'interesting' experience'.
Also, you have wanted to fly so much for so long, and I feel that is putting more pressure on yourself and too much pressure IMHO doesn't help.
You are 34, so are likely to go solo faster than old folks like Mary and I did, but the only people I know who have solod a glider in less than 40 flights have had substantial previous flying experience - one for example was a former RAF fast jet jockey and CFS instructor. Us lesser mortals take longer - much longer in some cases!