From the ground up

From the cockpit of his airplane staring down at the concrete strip jutting into the horizon, David McClelland really wasn't sure what he was feeling. When he got into flying, he never imagined he'd become a test pilot.

Yet here he was behind the controls of a plane that had never been off the ground. In fact, 14 months ago, what he was sitting in had been strewn about his hangar at the Carson Airport - in pieces.

"When you are sitting on the runway, everything goes through your mind. You are about to go 120 mph down the runway in a sheet-metal box, pull back on the stick, and hope you don't hear cracks or pops," he said.

McClelland, 41, said he never imagined he could build his own plane. He told himself he didn't have the patience or the time. But his reservations didn't stop him from ordering the kit from Van's Aircraft in Oregon at a cost of about $60,000.

From that point, McClelland spent more than 2,000 hours assembling the plane.

"You fit and you take apart and refit and take apart," McClelland said. "It's your life in the cockpit so you have to get it right. It definitely teaches you patience."

While the plane was being constructed, a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration made checks throughout the process and did a final inspection before issuing an air-worthiness certificate.

Aside from spending time with his family and working, McClelland said he spends time at the airport and tries to get involved whenever he can.

He will be on hand Saturday during the airport's annual open house.

Airport director Yvon Weaver said, "It's an opportunity for the community to come to their airport and see what we do and how we do it."

The free event runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and will feature live music from the Sierra Express Band, free ice cream and members of the High Sierra Chapter of the 99s, an international society of female pilots.

But the open house wasn't on McClelland's mind as he made final checks on his plane. He said he couldn't have done it without the help of his mentor Joe Raphael, 70, who completed his own plane several years ago.

"You have got to have the passion for flying. It's an experience that is just wonderful," Raphael said. "You have to have patience when flying, and you have to keep the proper division between family and flying."

McClelland said he wouldn't be able to pursue his dream without the support of his wife, Teresa, and his family.

"This plane is the gal away from home," he joked. "With running a business and running the kids, we have a full-time life. She is so supportive and makes this possible."

• • •

With one final deep breath, McClelland begins down the runway. With little effort, the plane's wheels slip away from the earth - and he is airborne.

After two quick loops around the airport, the blue-and-white painted bird descended and rolled to a stop in front of its hangar.

The final evaluation?

A little light on the takeoff, perfect on the landing, and the rigging is just right, he said.

But McClelland said his building days aren't over; his goal is to eventually build a six-seater aircraft. For now, though, one is enough.

"This ship sails. That was just incredible."

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: Carson Airport open house

When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Carson City Airport, 2600 E. Graves Lane

Call: 887-1234