A Chopper is Born

Total Seasons :1Total Episodes : 15

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 bui...

Episodes(15)

Episode 1

1. Episode 1

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

Air Date : 2002-01-01

Episode 2

2. Episode 2

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

Air Date : 2002-01-08

Episode 3

3. Episode 3

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

Air Date : 2002-01-15

Episode 4

4. Episode 4

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

Air Date : 2002-01-22

Episode 5

5. Episode 5

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

Air Date : 2002-01-29

Episode 6

6. Episode 6

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

Air Date : 2002-02-05

Episode 7

7. Episode 7

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.

Air Date : 2002-02-12

episode 8

8. episode 8

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.

Air Date : 2002-02-19

Episode 9

9. Episode 9

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

Air Date : 2002-02-26

Episode 10

10. Episode 10

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

Air Date : 2002-03-05

Episode 11

11. Episode 11

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

Air Date : 2002-03-12

Episode 12

12. Episode 12

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

Air Date : 2002-03-19

Episode 13

13. Episode 13

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.

Air Date : 2002-03-26

Episode 14