"BTIZ" wrote:
and I don't know of any "smart" instructor
that would allow any student to fly solo on
any given day without the instructor knowing
it and reviewing that the student is prepared,
has a plan, and has reviewed the weather
and forecast changes for the next few hours.

wrote:
Then both I and the instructor who soloed me
must not be "smart." When I was soloed, it was
three trips around the patch while the instructor
watched (and NOT with a radio) and then you're
on your own.

Same here, Michael. CFIG was on the ground and watched my first two solos (also
no radios where I fly), and then I was encouraged to solo as often as I could.
I usually scheduled flights when he was there, in case I had questions (still
prefer it that way), but there is always at least one CFIG at the site. As for
discussing *every* flight with regard to a plan, weather, etc., that is done
many times prior to solo, so decision-making is already addressed and observed.
Even post license, everyone shares info about weather, locations of known or
potential lift, or anything else that is useful prior to flying. Everyone
watches out for others, and obviously no one there would tow anyone--solo
student or seasoned pilot--up in weather they shouldn't be in.

--Shirley