>> Pilots know that no one else can help them fly their aircraft in an emergency.
My first solo was... interesting. Takeoff was fine. Climbed to about 400ft and then a full on panic attack (2nd time in my life) as I realized the implications of the empty seat next to me. Thought process was something like this:
What if I need that guy? Well you can call him on the radio, but there's nothing he's gonna say that you dont already know.
What if I can't do this? What if I have to wash out? Well that's OK, but first I gotta get back on the ground before deciding that.
Then I leaned on the window, looked at the plane ahead of me, made my turns, and by the time I was on downwind it was starting to pass.
After landing I taxied back to where I had dropped off my instructor, but he was nowhere to be seen. He'd said to do 3, so I went back out for 2 more takeoffs and landings without incident.
What a way to face your fucking demons.