Alan wrote:
... Does it really take 15 to 20 flights of dual before solo?


Pretty much. The airwork comes together pretty quickly but you need to
learn what those pedals on the floor are for. Without that, your tows
will be sloppy, at best. I did a demo flight for an experienced
tail-dragger pilot yesterday. He thought that he knew how to use the
rudder. He was wrong.

Your power instructor probably told you (as mine did) "if you don't like
your approach, go around". Well, guess what? :-) Before you solo you
need to convince your instructor that you can nail the landing every
time. And it's not quite the same as yo do it in power. You vary your
pattern and approach speed based on the wind speed and direction. You
have to anticipate and correct for wind gradients.

There's a lot to learn. It's fun.

Tony V. CFIG