• 69
    watchers
  • 1.1k
    plays
  • 178
    collected

A Chopper is Born

Season 1 2002

  • 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z on Discovery
  • 42m
  • 7h 30m (15 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • English
  • Documentary
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.

15 episodes

Series Premiere

2002-01-01T00:00:00Z

1x01 Episode 1

Series Premiere

1x01 Episode 1

  • 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-01-08T00:00:00Z

1x02 Episode 2

1x02 Episode 2

  • 2002-01-08T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-01-15T00:00:00Z

1x03 Episode 3

1x03 Episode 3

  • 2002-01-15T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-01-22T00:00:00Z

1x04 Episode 4

1x04 Episode 4

  • 2002-01-22T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-01-29T00:00:00Z

1x05 Episode 5

1x05 Episode 5

  • 2002-01-29T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-02-05T00:00:00Z

1x06 Episode 6

1x06 Episode 6

  • 2002-02-05T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-02-12T00:00:00Z

1x07 Episode 7

1x07 Episode 7

  • 2002-02-12T00:00:00Z30m

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.

2002-02-19T00:00:00Z

1x08 episode 8

1x08 episode 8

  • 2002-02-19T00:00:00Z30m

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.

2002-02-26T00:00:00Z

1x09 Episode 9

1x09 Episode 9

  • 2002-02-26T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-03-05T00:00:00Z

1x10 Episode 10

1x10 Episode 10

  • 2002-03-05T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-03-12T00:00:00Z

1x11 Episode 11

1x11 Episode 11

  • 2002-03-12T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-03-19T00:00:00Z

1x12 Episode 12

1x12 Episode 12

  • 2002-03-19T00:00:00Z30m

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

2002-03-26T00:00:00Z

1x13 Episode 13

1x13 Episode 13

  • 2002-03-26T00:00:00Z30m

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.

2002-04-01T23:00:00Z

1x14 Episode 14

1x14 Episode 14

  • 2002-04-01T23:00:00Z30m

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

2002-04-08T23:00:00Z

1x15 Episode 15

1x15 Episode 15

  • 2002-04-08T23:00:00Z30m

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.

Loading...