A Chopper is Born

Season 1

15 episodes · Jan 1, 2002

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.

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S1E1

Episode 1

Jan 1, 200230m

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

S1E2

Episode 2

Jan 8, 200230m

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

S1E3

Episode 3

Jan 15, 200230m

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

S1E4

Episode 4

Jan 22, 200230m

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

S1E5

Episode 5

Jan 29, 200230m

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

S1E6

Episode 6

Feb 5, 200230m

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

S1E7

Episode 7

Feb 12, 200230m

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.

S1E8

episode 8

Feb 19, 200230m

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.

S1E9

Episode 9

Feb 26, 200230m

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

S1E10

Episode 10

Mar 5, 200230m

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

S1E11

Episode 11

Mar 12, 200230m

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

S1E12

Episode 12

Mar 19, 200230m

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

S1E13

Episode 13

Mar 26, 200230m

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.

S1E14

Episode 14

Apr 2, 200230m

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

S1E15

Episode 15

Apr 9, 200230m

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.