 Following World War II, Cleland acquired the Euclid Avenue Airport small airport in suburban Willoughby, Ohio.As a fixed-base operator, he offered flying lessons, banner towing, and air charters.Cleland bought a surplus Vought FG-1D Corsair, modified it for air racing, named it "Lucky Gallon" and flew it in the 1946 Thompson Trophy Race at an average of , finishing sixth.