As many of you who know me know, I am in college studying to be a pilot. I thought it was about time you guys got to see what it is I do. Here's the flight I did today. (I have a time block in which I fly, it is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30 to 3:30).

The lesson for the day: Landings (the last thing I need to be signed off on before I can solo, and I need a few more hours of landings to legally solo). As such I would only be staying in the traffic pattern, my maximum height being about 800-1000' AGL (pattern altitude), and I wouldn't be more than 2 miles from the airfield at one time. Basically I'm doing laps.

After a briefing, the dispatchers give you a binder, which include information about the operating history of the aircraft, the keys, and the fuel card (which is used to pay for avgas after the flight) of the aircraft you've been issued.

Here was my plane for the day. A Cessna 172S Skyhawk.

The cockpit is the Garmin G1000 avionics suite.

And here's a pic of my ponified flight bag. These are my good luck charms. Haven't failed me yet, I'm still in one piece, aren't I?

After a thorough pre-flight check, which includes checking everything from the electrical systems, to controls, to the fuel system, we get in the airplane and go!

Here's a pic of us taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Now, here's a few pics from the air. Sorry I couldn't get more. It was kinda hectic and not the best photo-op flight. There will be better ones soon enough.

On base leg, about to turn to final approach

Takeoff after a touch-and-go landing.

And the flight was pretty much this for an hour. Take off, fly the pattern, and land again. Hopefully after three more lessons like this I can solo. And I'll be one step closer to my license.

Anyway, yeah, that's a day in my life as a student pilot.