A Chopper is Born - Season 1
1 - Episode 1
Air Date: January 1, 2002
Mark Evans begins building his home kit chopper before attempting his helicopter rating in Arizona.
2 - Episode 2
Air Date: January 8, 2002
Mark Evans begins building the helicopter airframe and discovers the principles of helicopter flight.
3 - Episode 3
Air Date: January 15, 2002
The airframe is complete and Mark turns his attention to the tail boom before beginning his helicopter flight training.
4 - Episode 4
Air Date: January 22, 2002
Mark begins the manufacture of the main rotor shaft before getting to grips with training on the controls and throttle.
5 - Episode 5
Air Date: January 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.
6 - Episode 6
Air Date: February 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.
7 - Episode 7
Air Date: February 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.
8 - episode 8
Air Date: February 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.
9 - Episode 9
Air Date: February 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.
10 - Episode 10
Air Date: March 5, 2002
Mark learns how to climb and descend before installing the lights, navigation system and computer into his home-kit helicopter.
11 - Episode 11
Air Date: March 12, 2002
Mark turns his attention to the body panel and back seats, before learning about landing and set downs.
12 - Episode 12
Air Date: March 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.
13 - Episode 13
Air Date: March 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.
14 - Episode 14
Air Date: April 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.
15 - Episode 15
Air Date: April 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.