WOHS senior Cole Mouer earning pilot’s license

Cole Mouer hopes to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps one day as a pilot for American Airlines. The West Orange High School senior is well on his way, having nearly completed his private pilot license at the age of 17. He also already has been accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

When Mouer was 4, he watched the “Top Gun” movie and was hooked on airplanes, flying and learning everything he could about the subject. As a child, when he traveled by air, he was consumed with figuring out how the airplane worked and what the pilots were doing in the cockpit.

Mouer was named for his grandfather, Larry Martin Cole, and like his grandfather, who learned to fly when he was a teenager, Mouer is working on his private pilot license. He has amassed 53.9 of the required 40 hours and eight of the 10 necessary solo hours through Flight Training Professionals in Orlando.

To achieve his hours, Mouer flies a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with G1000 with a glass cockpit. He also has trained on simulators at JetBlue University at Orlando International Airport, where Central Florida JetBlue pilots do all their training, he said.

He then must pass written, oral and flight tests.

Mouer’s dream is to become an American Airlines pilot like his grandfather, who began his commercial piloting career after serving six years in the United States Air Force in the 1960s.

CHASING A DREAM

Mouer will graduate high school in May and, eager to begin his studies, he will start college in the summer semester. He plans to study aeronautical science so he can work in the airline industry.

When he steps foot on campus, he already will have multiple college credits. He has taken three Embry-Riddle dual-enrollment classes — Principles of Aeronautical Science and Unmanned Aircraft in his sophomore year; and Private Pilot Operations, and Systems and Security of Unmanned Aircrafts his junior year.

This year, as a senior, he is a teacher’s assistant helping his instructor, Brian Noe, teach the younger students.

His studies have enabled him to concentrate on book work, simulation and actual flying. Mouer also has his drone-flying license.

He and Noe started the Aviation Club at West Orange High last year, and Mouer serves as president. In its inaugural year, the club had 13 students. This year, there are 87 students interested in aviation who have joined.

“The main reason why we created it was for people to find a way into aviation for those who are into it,” Mouer said. “That’s one of the hardest things to do — figure out where to start. Someone can come and look at it and decide before they take the classes.”

The club holds weekly meetings, and members have fun flying kites, drones and remote control planes. They also take multiple field trips to experience flying the JetBlue simulator, taking behind-the-scenes airport tours and attending the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo.

YOU’RE ACCEPTED

Mouer applied for acceptance into Embry-Riddle, and in September he was emailed an acceptance letter and received in the mail a big blue box with “You’re accepted!” emblazoned on the front.

“It was exciting, especially because the way Embry-Riddle does it is they send you an entire acceptance box,” he said.

The box included a certificate, acceptance letter, a pair of sunglasses, a small confetti cannon, a list of tasks to complete before starting college and a link for a free T-shirt.

He said he’s most looking forward to easy access to flying.

“Being able to get up and the first thing is I can hop into a plane whenever I want,” he said.

His bucket list includes flying to the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania; and taking his grandmother for a ride in a Cesna.

Mouer said he is grateful for the opportunities given to him by the Aviation Club, the Embry-Riddle dual-enrollment classes with Noe, and Flight Training Professionals and Fox.

“I’m forever thankful for my instructor, Taylor Fox,” he said. “Taylor decided to give me his Embry-Riddle alumni scholarship. They (Fox and Noe) have been tremendous role models.”

ESSAY

EARNING MY WINGS

“My fascination with flying began when I was 4 years old — while watching the movie ‘Top Gun.’ I vividly remember sitting on the coffee table, staring at the television, mesmerized by the airplanes. When I traveled on an airplane, I would spend the entire flight trying to figure out how the plane worked and wondering what the pilots were doing inside the cockpit. After realizing I was doing that on every flight, I knew that I wanted to become a commercial airline pilot.

“Over time, I researched how planes operated and found myself diving into deeper and more complex information. Even to this day, I find myself staying up late at night learning new information about airplanes and aviation.

“My grandfather, Larry M. Cole (my namesake), learned to fly when he was a teenager. After receiving his bachelor's degree in meteorology from The Pennsylvania State University, he joined the U.S. Air Force and flew during the Vietnam War. After leaving the military, he entered the commercial airline industry and spent the remainder of his career as a pilot for American Airlines. Sadly, he passed away before realizing my own desire to become a pilot, never having the chance to ask him, “Where do I start?” Even my parents didn’t know how to answer this question, leading me to the realization that one of the hardest parts of becoming a pilot, lol, is understanding where to start.

“While selecting courses for my sophomore year of high school, I noticed that West Orange High School was offering Embry-Riddle classes. Having learned about Embry-Riddle through my own research, I immediately asked my counselor about them. She told me that they were all aviation-related courses. Of course, I signed up for every available course. When it was time to meet my teachers, I went straight to my aviation teacher first.

“Once I entered the classroom, I was welcomed by an amazing and intellectual teacher named Mr. Brian Noe, who has become both a mentor and a crucial factor in my journey to become a pilot. These courses allowed me to prepare for and pass the FAA Part 107 Test and Private Pilot Airplane Test.

“In August 2023, Mr. Noe and I established the West Orange High School Aviation Club, where I was elected club president. The Aviation Club was able to visit JetBlue University in Orlando, Florida, where I was able to experience what it felt like to fly an Airbus A320. After observing my dedication and hard work, Mr. Noe suggested that I consider starting my private pilot license training.

“In November 2023, I enrolled with Flight Training Professionals in Orlando, Florida, for my private pilot's license. My flight instructor, Taylor Fox, and I share a passion for aviation but also discovered that we had many other things in common outside of aviation. Taylor and I were both in our high school marching bands, and we were also part of the drumline. Taylor helped me realize that flight training will be a lifelong commitment and that I will always need to push myself forward and continue learning.”