I have been training on-and-off since December 2008 and got to around 7.5 hours and was told I was ready for solo (been flying with my dad since I was a pikkie, so have some previous experience), but it all came at quite a rush, so I had to write the tests and radio exams and send all the papers up country for the SPL, we continued to do dual while we waited. It finally got issued and I was able to go solo!
We went and did a few circuits in different configurations and approaches at Caledon and then I was instructed to do a full stop landing. This was my cue. We backtracked to the apron, instructor unbuckled his harness, gave me a few words of advice and commented on the flight characteristics one-up, unplugged his headset and walked away. Then the worry set in, not of the task ahead, but more of 'why am I not worrying about the task ahead' as I have heard about so many times. Where were my quivering knees? Where was my pounding heart? But then it dawned on me. The last bunch of hours I had flown had been with this passenger in the back that kept giving me instructions, he hadn't been flying the plane ..I had. So I must have been doing something right if he trusted me to take his baby up all by myself.
Self-evaluation stopped and I set about the task at hand. Checks done and radio call amended with 'Student', I opened the throttle for take-off.
The kick in my back was absurd, I looked to the air speed indicator and was stunned to see that it was time to ease back on the stick. The climb-out was just manic, I found myself continuously pulling back to keep the designated climb speed. I continued to do about 7 or 8 touch and goes and built up my first 0.3 solo hours. Days later and I still have the smile on my face to prove it, the bug, she has bitten!
It was such a blast and I do hope that more people get to do it! Can't wait to get back to the field!
Good luck to all you out there doing training. Safe and happy flying to everyone!
The joys of being in your twenties. 
