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Nolan McCleery, a 16-year-old sophomore at Washtenaw International High School, earned his student pilot’s license after completing his first solo flight. McCleery, who began taking lessons at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport in May, is interested in space and sees piloting as a stepping stone toward becoming an astronaut. He is currently preparing to obtain a private pilot’s license, which will require several more solo flights and passing the Federal Aviation Administration’s practical test.
16-Year-Old Soars High with Pilot’s License, Aims for the Stars
At an age when most teenagers are learning to drive, 16-year-old Nolan McCleery is taking flight. The Washtenaw International High School sophomore recently completed his first solo flight, earning a student pilot’s license on November 11. This achievement is only the beginning of McCleery’s aspirations, which reach far beyond the clouds.
McCleery’s fascination with flight is rooted in a profound curiosity for space and the cosmos. He sees obtaining his pilot’s license as the first major step towards becoming an astronaut. His eyes look beyond the moon and the stars, intrigued by the vast unknown.
Considering his future, McCleery contemplates a possible career as a U.S. Air Force or U.S. Navy test pilot. This could open the doorway to his ultimate dream of space travel. His parents, Abby and Ryan McCleery, applaud their son’s dedication and fearlessness, eagerly anticipating his future accomplishments.
Since starting flight training at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, McCleery has mainly flown a two-seat Cessna 152, but also has experience with the larger Cessna 172. His future flight ambitions include piloting planes manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries and potential fighter jets during his possible military career.
McCleery’s journey toward a private pilot’s license involves several more solo flights, challenging tasks such as nighttime and cross-country flights, and passing a final checkride (the Federal Aviation Administration’s practical test) after turning 17.
Crediting his success to his parents, sister, and instructor Katie Ptoska from Michigan Flyers, McCleery also appreciates his teachers at Washtenaw International High, especially his freshman physics teacher Nick Gravlin, for enhancing his understanding of flight mechanics through subjects like math and physics.
Washtenaw International High School is also extremely proud of McCleery’s extraordinary achievement. To follow more of McCleery’s journey and for more local news on Michigan Schools, sign up for the weekly newsletter or visit the local Ann Arbor news page.
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