Pilot Life: Solo Pattern Work Over Albany

Spring is around the corner, which should mean nicer flying weather a more frequent basis. Today was one of those days and despite the minor problem we're having with the pilot-side comm button, I decided to go up for a quick flight by doing some laps in the pattern (I used the co-pilot-side comms to do my radio calls!).

Taking N5174E for a couple laps!

After the usual pre-flight/before-takeoff business, I got airborne using Runway 16 as the winds were favoring that direction. In total, I did six laps in the traffic pattern, doing five touch-and-go landings with my sixth landing being a full-stop. For the most part, it was uneventful with the exception on two separate laps where I had to extend my upwind legs for spacing for a DA-20 Katana and a Piper Cherokee that entered the pattern.

After calling it quits, I topped off the fuel tanks at the self-serve pumps before returning to the hangar, where my uncle met up with me; we previously agreed upon a time to take a look at and troubleshoot the pilot-side mic button for the radio, where we eventually determined that we should probably get the thing replaced, which hopefully will be soon! We went our separate ways after that.