RE: Instructor says getting close to solo....
yes, i've landed and taken off 10 15 times, maybe 20. most of the landings were good. I have broken a couple of props though. my take off have been good from the start.
just get a little rattled once in a while, instructors had to save me a few times. actually, my first landing was very good. some of those that followed weren't so pretty, but even they left the plane in good shape.
the only real nasty one was when I decided I knew how to do this by myself back a month ago. (ya'll remember that post "stupid - stupid - stupid.....) that one cost me a new wing and a prop. knew I was in over my head as soon as I got up. but, everyone on the universe who responded peeped me up by saying I'd done what many before me had also done.