A Chopper is Born

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.

• Ep 1

  1.Episode 1

  01-01-200230m

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

• Ep 2

  2.Episode 2

  08-01-200230m

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

• Ep 3

  3.Episode 3

  15-01-200230m

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

• Ep 4

  4.Episode 4

  22-01-200230m

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

• Ep 5

  5.Episode 5

  29-01-200230m

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

• Ep 6

  6.Episode 6

  05-02-200230m

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

• Ep 7

  7.Episode 7

  12-02-200230m

  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.

• Ep 8

  8.episode 8

  19-02-200230m

  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.

• Ep 9

  9.Episode 9

  26-02-200230m

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

• Ep 10

  10.Episode 10

  05-03-200230m

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

• Ep 11

  11.Episode 11

  12-03-200230m

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

• Ep 12

  12.Episode 12

  19-03-200230m

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

• Ep 13

  13.Episode 13

  26-03-200230m

  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.

• Ep 14

  14.Episode 14

  02-04-200230m

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

• Ep 15

  15.Episode 15

  09-04-200230m

  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.