Name: A Chopper is Born
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2002-01-01

Overview

First aired in September 2002, Mark Evans along with his loyal (if ageing) side-kick Pete Walker took on their latest mad-cap building project after the construction of two cars and an aeroplane. A Chopper is Born followed Marks 6 month odyssey to build a kit helicopter. The Rotorway Exec 162 is the most popular kit helicopter in the world. Manufactured in Phoenix, Arizona, Rotorway have been building Helicopter kits for nearly 30 years.

Seasons

Season 1

15 Episodes

2002

E01

Episode 1

1/1/2002·30m

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

E02

Episode 2

1/8/2002·30m

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

E03

Episode 3

1/15/2002·30m

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

E04

Episode 4

1/22/2002·30m

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

E05

Episode 5

1/29/2002·30m

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

E06

Episode 6

2/5/2002·30m

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

E07

Episode 7

2/12/2002·30m

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.

E08

episode 8

2/19/2002·30m

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.

E09

Episode 9

2/26/2002·30m

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

E10

Episode 10

3/5/2002·30m

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

E11

Episode 11

3/12/2002·30m

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

E12

Episode 12

3/19/2002·30m

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

E13

Episode 13

3/26/2002·30m

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.

E14