I read some of this discussion and it is all excellent. There are lots of viewpoints and lots of considerations.

One thing that was not mentioned was the difference between flying with an instructor, in a two-seater, and flying alone... in a single seater.

There is a big difference. With the instructor on board there is someone with vastly more experience to correct any errors. There is also a more clear route and a more clear focus and a more clear safe focus.

The shift to flying solo is that this back-up encyclopedia of experience is gone and that is a huge factor... a huge difference.


"....revealed no fatal accidents in any Schweizer two seat models in the U.S. in
the last 15 years (although there were 18 fatals in Schweizer single
seaters)."