I don't believe in the time factor. It's all in confidence in yourself (imo). This is my third year learning and for me the moment came when I took a inexpensive trainer to the field. That plane suprised me at how much fun I was having. After 4 great flights I put my other trainer in the air and on landing I set it down right in a tree. No damage but the confidence factor is still high and I'm still flying. Don't beat yourself up over it, just have fun.