I worked with a few who thought they were up to it and crashed. How
about this: if you make it past 500hrs you will be a bonified real
old-bold pilot. ;-)

Wow that makes me a bonified real old-bold pilot at a grand old age of
twenty six, er okay twenty seven in a couple of weeks! ;-))))

So although I'm a real old-bold pilot I'm still sticking to a very good moto
I've learnt from a veteran of a lifetime in aviation... "Cowardice prolongs
active life". (If you're reading this sorry if it is trademarked!).

Mind you there is no such thing as an old bold pilot.

Seriously though I believe you've hit the nail on the head with your post.