Catching air: Kansas teenager earns his wings

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Not everyone can say he's built a plane.

And very few people could say they flew the plane they built before they were even able to get a driver's license.

For Fort Scott's Levi Self, now at the ripe age of 16, all these things are true.

He can fly his plane next to his dad's plane. Max Self, a local physician and a private pilot, could not be more proud of his eldest son.

On the living room wall of the Self house is a white shirt. Written in black magic marker are the words, "Levi Self soloed his Mini Max May 1, 2005."

"I had a video and camera," Max said. "Actually, what he did was, he taxied up and down the runway so many times I was wondering if he was ever going to fly."

Levi did one "crow hop" as his father called it, and then called it a night.

The next time he did more than that.

"It was awesome," Max said. "I was thrilled."

"My first flight was, in a way, an amazing relief because the thing actually flew," Levi said. "I couldn't sleep much the night before. I was nervous," he said.

Levi said he was even more nervous the first time he watched his dad fly it.

Though Levi flew it first, he got to watch it go up when his dad tried it out.

Now a greater joy for both father and son is flying together in separate crafts.

"We just started doing that," Levi said.

Though Levi's Mini Max 1100 ultralight airplane isn't really a match for his father's Piper Tri-Pacer, the two are able to fly together, even if it is just briefly.

Though Max's plane is a four-seater, Levi's craft can only hold one -- and a cold one at that, at least this time of year.

Levi's plane is an open cockpit, meaning his ride is significantly colder than whatever the temperature is outside. Though he bundles up, his face still gets a good dose of cold air while he flies.

"He's a good pilot and I'm proud of him," Max said. "Building and flying his own plane is something he's done that I've never done." Dr. Self said. "It is neat to see your kids surpass you."

Max is seeing one of his dreams come true through his son.

"I gave Levi the opportunity to go as far as his dreams and energy would take him, and he really went all the way. He built something amazing. It is a magnificent project. He did something that kinda fulfilled the lifelong dream that I had," Max said.

Levi's craft began as an agreement with his parents that they would help purchase his first car. Levi chose to put the money toward a plane instead, and his parents supported his decision.

The ultralight kit was purchased from an elderly man in Nebraska.

After having worked more than 400 hours on the plane, Levi had spent around $4,500 on the kit, the engine and other parts needed to build the ultralight. That cost is lower than normal, according to Levi, because he managed to acquire used parts.

Levi built the plane with help from his dad.

Now, Levi has submitted an article to Kitplanes magazine, hoping for publication. Levi said 20 to 30 submissions are received monthly and only four are accepted. Both son and father hope the story makes the magazine. But whether it does or not, Levi will continue to pursue his passion for flying.

"You can always see new things and experience new things," Levi said.