Hard to say how ready I am - I reckon you'd know after it happened!
For example, I now know that I can do a 180 (without panicing!) after inadvertently entering IMC... but I now also know that I don't want to do that again until/unless I have made time to gain an IMC rating! As a consequence, I have become much more cautious when approaching poor vis./low cloud situations than perhaps I was when I first gained the license, only 53 flying hours ago...
I read the accident reports, I suppose most of us do, in the hope that some of someone else's experience kind-of "rubs off". I also know I should practice more, e.g. PFL's.
We have to "fill the cup of experience before we empty the cup of luck". Maintaining a cautious mind-set, whilst safely pushing your personal envelope over time as your experience level increases, is key IMHO. I recommend finding a flying buddy of similar experience level (or more experienced) soon after getting your PPL so that you can help each other build confidence and learn from each others mistakes/experiences.
I believe (hope!?) that these strategies help me to "fill the cup of experience", perhaps a little bit quicker...
Last edited by Aussie Andy; 24th September 2002 at 18:16.