Whenever this topic comes up I always think about my first goes flying, takeoff, landing, navigation, all under the watchful eye of an instructor, and how long before they took over your hashed first attempts to try a manoeuvre all by yourself ?
That feeling of relief as an experienced hand sorted out your mistake and let you try it again. The feeling of safety when you descend on final and something unexpected happens "I have control"
Yeah, now imagine doing all that by yourself. With something 5x faster and 50x heavier, and no going back. You have no chance. With automatics, help on the ground and properly tuned radios, possibly. Hand flying it for the first time? No chance.