The biggest barrier to your first solo is not the flight itself, i.e. a physical one, but more a psychological one in that you must overcome the "what-ifs". I had the same problem when my first solso came. Between the instructor jumping out and me taking off, I had to block the "what-ifs" out of my mind lest I fluff the checklist and hence potentially jepordise my safety. Ultimately, you must have faith in your low time experience (scary), the aeroplane and fate itself
On my 1st solo, I can tell you that:
a) I swore my head off just after becoming airborne and yes, I did double-check my thumb was off the PTT switch
b) I didn't do my post-takeoff check and left my flaps down until well onto the x-wind leg
c) in the flare, she became very nose up, bounced slightly but she came down okay after that
I believe that one one eastern european country, after a student does his 1st solo, the custom is for the student to have his *rse kicked by the assembled masses in the club
