My first solo - and the worst flight of my life

One more thought. At an FBO CFIs are usually held to a standard for how
long to get a student to solo, etc. If a student is coming in regularly
the chief instructor will expect they will solo in 20 hours or so. If a
CFI isn't signing a student off after 30 hours the chief instructor
usually wonders if there is a problem with the CFI (and often will ask
to fly with the student himself to determine what is wrong, the CFI or
the student). Perhaps this CFI was under pressure to solo you and
rather than ask for help and advise from the other CFIs, he tried to
push you through before he felt comfortable?? Just a guess.
When I was doing J-3 training we were told that if someone didn't get
their tailwheel endorsement in 7 hours the chief instructor flew with
them (i.e took your student). He told us that we should be able to get
anyone signed off in under 7 hours. Its probably a good idea but I can
see how it could get some CFIs into trouble if they have too much
pride.

-Robert, CFII