Todd,

Good job! Looks like you will probably do pretty well. I have to say that I don't like when people tell me that I had to get an Instructor, in was rather annoying. I did end up getting an Instructor in the long run, because I do not really want to spend the money that it takes to learn on my own. I am confident that I could do it. But I know that I would have broken at least one something.

When I spotted you topic here, I expected to see MANY people beating up on you for not getting an Instructor; that is what happens alot. But I think that your attitude is right. I personally have NO problem with someone learning on their own, as long as they are a long way from other people. Before I went to the local club, I did not have any knowledge of how far, fast, and dangerous a gas powered airplane was. Before I went to the local club, I was contemplate flying on my own albeit brefily. I would have gone to the local state park, that has large amounts of room in it. I would have flown at a square half mile worth of land on the edge of the park road. Knowing what I do know, I would NEVER do that. The are several reasons that I would try to get someone to go to an Instructor urgently... meaning I might tell everyone "It is easier to go with an Instructor than without" but some people I would say "Don't try to fly without someone". Here are the people:

1.) Young (10 year old) with not much experiance of anything with an engine let alone a plane
2.) Someone in an Urban enviroment - with not alot of space and lots of potential propterty/people to hurt/damage and or kill
3.) An older person who has not grown up with video/computer games and do not have the same hand eye co-ordenation that the younger generation has
4.) Last but not least... someone with not alot of money. You need money if you go on your own... money to handle crashes

I do not think you fit under any of those cases (or at least you do not appear to from my view point)

P.S. please let no one misunderstand me that those cases I stated are the ONLY ones who need instruction, I just think those are the ones who need it the most.