A Chopper is Born

Mark Evans begins building his home kit chopper before attempting his helicopter rating in Arizona.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.