While most high schoolers spend their afternoons getting their homework done, going to practice, or hanging out with friends, Notre Dame Academy’s Walker Malo does things a little differently. Some of his days are spent on a runway, preparing to take a Cessna 172 into the air. 

Malo’s path to becoming a pilot began when he was six years old after his family moved from Chicago to Green Bay. His dad brought him to EAA AirVenture, where he spoke with a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot, which inspired his future.

“He lifted me into the cockpit and spent a few hours talking with me. That completely changed the way I saw aviation,” shared Malo.

Malo started doing flight school at 15. He had to complete around 15 ground lessons before getting to actually fly at 16. Ground school, written exams, and in-flight instruction time all were needed towards attaining a pilot’s license.

A typical lesson consists of checking weather forecasts, inspecting the aircraft, reviewing NOTAM(Notice to Airmen), and communicating with Ground Control and Tower before taking off. 

“Depending on the day, we might head to the practice area to work on stalls or stay in the pattern to practice takeoffs and landings,” Malo explained.

After nine hours of monitored flight time, Malo took over a plane on his own.

“It was nerve racking at first,” he admitted. “Up until then, there was always an instructor with a thousand-plus hours next to me.”

Each lesson runs around $360, and pilots need at least 40 hours to earn a license. Malo has relied on aviation scholarships and steady work to keep flying. 

Balancing school, aviation, and athletics isn’t easy but Malo does his best. He is a full IB diploma student at NDA, which requires more work and more vigorous classwork.

“Fortunately, with IB, I had already completed much of the book work ahead of time, so academics haven’t been too overwhelming,” said Malo.

 Along with his flight training, Malo also plays men’s tennis for NDA in the spring, which means attending practices as well as attending his flight schedule.

In the future, Malo hopes to study aviation, engineering, or business in college and eventually fly for a major airline like Delta or United. He’s also considering a corporate aviation pathway.

“Flying has taught me not to overreact… to stay aware and make good decisions… I’ve noticed that I’ve become more observant…and more aware of what’s happening around me, both in the cockpit and in everyday life,” said the junior.