Season 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.
Episodes: 15
Star Cast: Mark Evans ,
Episodes List
Ep.1 Episode 1
Air Date: 2002-01-01
Mark Evans begins building his home kit chopper before attempting his helicopter rating in Arizona.
Ep.2 Episode 2
Air Date: 2002-01-08
Mark Evans begins building the helicopter airframe and discovers the principles of helicopter flight.
Ep.3 Episode 3
Air Date: 2002-01-15
The airframe is complete and Mark turns his attention to the tail boom before beginning his helicopter flight training.
Ep.4 Episode 4
Air Date: 2002-01-22
Mark begins the manufacture of the main rotor shaft before getting to grips with training on the controls and throttle.
Ep.5 Episode 5
Air Date: 2002-01-29
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 Episode 6
Air Date: 2002-02-05
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 Episode 7
Air Date: 2002-02-12
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 episode 8
Air Date: 2002-02-19
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 Episode 9
Air Date: 2002-02-26
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 Episode 10
Air Date: 2002-03-05
Mark learns how to climb and descend before installing the lights, navigation system and computer into his home-kit helicopter.
Ep.11 Episode 11
Air Date: 2002-03-12
Mark turns his attention to the body panel and back seats, before learning about landing and set downs.
Ep.12 Episode 12
Air Date: 2002-03-19
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 Episode 13
Air Date: 2002-03-26
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 Episode 14
Air Date: 2002-04-02
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 Episode 15
Air Date: 2002-04-09
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.
