A Chopper is Born

1/8/2002

Mark Evans begins building the helicopter airframe and discovers the principles of helicopter flight.

1/15/2002

The airframe is complete and Mark turns his attention to the tail boom before beginning his helicopter flight training.

1/22/2002

Mark begins the manufacture of the main rotor shaft before getting to grips with training on the controls and throttle.

1/29/2002

Mark installs the engine in his home kit helicopter and learns how to counter 'dead man's curve' - a potentially fatal beginner's mistake.

2/5/2002

Mark's helicopter is ready for the tail rotor drive and the clutch, and he learns how to deal with engine failure and autorotation.

2/12/2002

The exhaust and cooling systems are added to Mark Evan's helicopter, and he learns how to take off from hover position and from the ground.

2/19/2002

Mark fits the exhaust, fuel system, fuel pumps and pressure regulator to his helicopter, and learns flying level and straight, to slip and to skid.

2/26/2002

Mark turns his attention to the avionics and instrument panel, and learns about the most important instruments he needs to fly a helicopter.

3/5/2002

Mark learns how to climb and descend before installing the lights, navigation system and computer into his home-kit helicopter.

3/12/2002

Mark turns his attention to the body panel and back seats, before learning about landing and set downs.

3/19/2002

The main rotor blades are fitted to Mark Evans's home-made helicopter. And in his helicopter-flying lesson he learns all about taxiing.

3/26/2002

Mark Evans takes to the skies in his chopper to practise the quick stop. Back on the ground he installs the rigging into his home-made kit helicopter.

4/2/2002

Mark paints the bodywork of his helicopter and installs the upholstery, before taking to the sky in another chopper to complete a circuit.

4/9/2002

We follow Mark as he reveals the finished home-kit helicopter and takes it into the skies for its first glorious flight. Last in series.