Tyler Moore of Fayetteville earned his private pilot license on Tuesday a few days after he celebrated his 17th birthday.
Moore, who has loved planes since he was a toddler, is the son of an Army veteran and grew up watching planes fly over Pope Army Airfield.
"I've always loved planes since I was a kid. This private pilot license is only the beginning of my aviation career," said Moore.
He is a junior at Northwood Temple Academy where he plays basketball. Moore received his pilot license from Cape Fear Aviation Flight Training in Gray's Creek where he was a student.
Moore said he hopes to one day become a commercial pilot.