First solo and messed it up..

[fly911]

If "Rotorheads" is for professionals, I can't help but wonder what Thomas Coupling is doing here.

[flyingflea]

It sounds like a simple case of nerves, although I wasn't so much nervous as excited on my first solo. Like you I learnt to fly (30 years ago) to overcome a fear of flying and it certainly worked for me.

Much later in life I started having "panic attacks" at home or in the car. These are quite frightening things and can happen to anyone at any time of life for no apparent reason.

Although I haven't had one for about 5 years, it stopped me flying (my own decision) as a P. Attack in flight as a single pilot is not something I would recommend to anyone.

Probably not relevant but thought I'd get that off my chest...

[jayteeto]

Mental attitude and not skill is your problem. Your instructor knows you are ready, you know you are ready, so why a problem?
Have a think and write down what your actual fear of flying is...........
Is it crashing and dying? Is it fear of embarrassment? Do you get airsick?
I have 7000 hrs helicopter with one crash in Belize in the early 1990s that I walked/swam away from. I fly an air ambulance daily into difficult landing sites and you know what? The most dangerous part of my day is my drive into work!!! Other commuters are dangerous.
I bet you don't think twice about driving your car.....................

[diginagain]

ISTR doing the 'glance around the cockpit' trick on my first Gazelle solo too, including looking back at the hub. Only the once. I found it truly astounding that someone had let me out on my own!