RE: how did ya'll do first time alone
When I was teaching myself how to fly I always flew alone. I didn't want anyone else around to see how bad I was LOL. Only crashed one plane at that point, My CG Eagle II. Just to get flying again quickly I bought some no-name ARF trainer (Right Flyer 40 MkII). I still have that plane hanging up in my shop waiting until my wife decides she is ready to learn to fly.