Homebuilt Helicopter from beginning to end

A compressed compilation of the 2+ hours (off the ground) learning to hover and tweaking the machine.
Realizing the dream was a huge sense of achievement for me, and I can understand how our Pioneers were so focused on their goals.

[@jamesp5588]

awesome helicopter you have there. wish i could give it two thumbs up but youtube only allows one.

[@tonyjasper1316]

I have to say...I am impressed, from building the machine to learning how to fly it...much respect...

[@CameronCarter1]

+Tony Jasper Thanks Tony :-)

[@stolaircraftsuyanto9728]

@@CameronCarter1 hi....can i ask my brother

[@antonioheleno356]

Show de bola, quanto será que custa uma lindeza dessa?

[@Novadean1]

Yes absolut amazing, Respekt from Germany.......

[@sasyaamalia7312]

@@stolaircraftsuyanto9728 .

[@jakemakes]

This is the ultimate youtube video. Crazy diy contraption, totally sketchy, low video quality, shaky camera, commentary from a twelve year old, filmed in the backyard. Amazing. Perfection.

[@BasementEngineer]

I'm not a pilot but I like to watch vids like this. When you tire of RC flying but still have the urge to burn gas and money, there's always hobbies like this! Kudos to the builder & pilot, you kick ass!

[@neelonghunglow]

Every dislike is from someone that can't afford a helichopter, or doesn't have the courage to build one! Amazing work...inspiring to say the least!

[@angargoy7181]

The video is a good project, the helicopter is a very complex machine and carrying out this work deserves all my admiration. I have flown in a helicopter many times and understand how difficult it is to start controlling this machine. My congratulations on the work done. Angel

[@the1realanalogman]

Outstanding in every context! The ship is incredibly solid/stable and your piloting is wonderful! This makes me delirious and I'm burning to jump in! i just can't comprehend the issues around being "allowed" to test your invention. No one has the right to suppress the creativity and expression of man! It's God's stuff! Bless you and ever forward Cameron.

[@CameronCarter1]

Wow, Thanks for that. The Bureaucrats that own the sky don't want people like me around because every time we create a smoking hole, it hits the front pages and there's no one left alive to pay for the paper work. They're only interested in our safety you know. ;-)

[@simonh4553]

Cameron Carter Love your work. It's interesting that kite surfers can attain stupid heights and not break any laws yet you're deemed a risk!

[@CameronCarter1]

Simon Hodges I think the authorities see a kite surfer as a non threat to the general public, unlike a home made helicopter falling from the sky as a flaming ball of twisted metal. :-)

[@julianBraga]

well said!

[@the1realanalogman]

Indeed!

[@NightRunner417]

This is like just getting started in remote control flight, so building an SR remote control heli *from scratch* except going right for 1:1 scale and then deciding the best approach is to put the controller *and* the pilot right inside the bird. You've got a yard of guts and some serious ingenuity, I'm very, very impressed. NICE WORK. :-)

[@kaypamenterprise2609]

12 years pursuing your goal is definitely a huge inspiration to me! Bravo from Haiti!!!!!

[@josephvanwie6706]

Hi bud, I wish you could realize just how many of us took the rides with you. Our asses were just as puckered as yours was. You da man, man. Thanks for letting us fly with you.

[@CameronCarter1]

+joseph Van Wie Cheers Joseph, I don't remember the 'pucker' factor but I'm sure it was occurring. I do remember when I relaxed a bit everything got a lot smoother. You can't fly 'white knuckled' for very long.

[@the1realanalogman]

Just had to comment again: You spent 12 years getting airborne, proving you have the patience of a saint, a will of iron and an abundance of engineering/mechanical skill and plenty of cerebral horsepower!! I have 2 words - "night fly"! If I had taken this path, "they" would have to shoot me down! Sorry if this feels like a rant, but it is! Blessings Cam!

[@CameronCarter1]

Thanks for the kind words, wow!... I would be more accurately described as obsessive compulsive with a healthy fear of loud noises and pain. I always had an excuse for not flying it sooner. It was a good project to keep me off the booze. haha.:-)

[@MrBrucechapman9]

Cameron Carter one day at a time! great achievements

[@johnknoefler]

Cameron Carter My Dad was an alcoholic and drug addict. For a time he quit all that and built an airplane in the living room of his rented bungalow. Then he tore out a wall to get it outside. It was a small experimental plane. He hired a test pilot to check it out at an airshow. It was a proud day for me when it passed perfectly. He did all the tig welding himself and basically all the construction wiring, etc. Then he sold it. I wished he had stayed sober. It was his one great accomplishment.

[@alluringjessica4297]

Cameron Carter You are a true backyard pioneer my friend. I look forward to your future videos of wonder machines!

[@jerryel2]

WoW! Gotta hand it to you for courage. That large spinning guillotine overhead doesn't encourage me to fly a heli but after a bit of paperwork back in the early 70s I managed to get a private pilot's license limited to centerline thrust and hand operated rudder as I was and am a paraplegic. I was one of the first but there are many now (which is somewhat scary). I knew that the FAA examiner would be more than interested on how I could do crosswind landings so spent hours and hours practicing 90 deg. crosswinds until I could nail it every time. The guy was so impressed he just said "head home" and I thought he was failing me without the rest of the flight tests. When we got back, he congratulated me and said commercial pilots couldn't have done it that well. I took the test in a Piper Cherokee Six BTW which I had purchased since no one would rent me a aircraft back then even though the hand rudder was a simple bolt-on deal taking 5 minutes.

[@thepilotrailfan9546]

+Jerry Ellis I have been an airline pilot and a flight instructor for many years. I have to say that your story is the most inspiring that I have ever heard. Not many pilots have the dedication that you do. I would be honored to get to fly with you someday.

[@majikfuzzybutt7390]

this is cool the way he is teaching himself how to fly, at first I didn't know then I figured it out, he was in school at first and he should give himself a A+ for the class

[@donquarybhappy]

Great Job! This is how human been has moving forward without given up facing any obstacles in life.

[@MsDichotomy]

I worked as a helicopter field engineer in Papua New Guinea in the 70s and 80s on many different types.My only claim to fame was building a Bell 47 from the ground up,but that pales compared to what you achieved,I didn't sleep at all last night I lie awake trying to get m,y head around it.You imagined it designed it assembled and engineered it.Then to cap it off you hovered it like a champion.Mate you are pure genius and i reckon Igor Sikorsky and the Wright brothers are smiling down on you because you are a kindred spirit to them.

[@CameronCarter1]

+MsDichotomy Wow, I won't be able to sleep tonight 'cause my head won't fit through the bedroom doorway. :-) Thanks for the compliment. All the hard work was done for me by the great engineers like Igor Sikorsky and Arthur Young (Bell 47). All I did was copy ideas that were realized over 70 years ago. If I'm good at anything, it's shortcuts! I was lucky to grow up in a small town in New Zealand, where, if you wanted something, you had to make it yourself. I still haven't evolved. Cheers Cam.

[@jacobokpara7618]

I wish I have the chance to meet people like this. It will be my greatest joy. I like designing and building things like this. I just wish I was born in a better country.

[@ozziecockings780]

...dont give up hope my friend...thru cross cultural cooperations we can get everyone in step...

[@sadikmeah4057]

Superb effort, Bro. I think your balls of steel was weighing the helicopter down and stopping you from getting any higher... 

[@victorjass3815]

No no no...once a helicopter goes as high and stable like this guy is doing...it can go anywhere. The reason why he's doing this is that by law you can do anything without a licence as long long as it is within the confines of yr yard

[@akarotsieris]

Excellent! I wish you to enjoy thousands hours of flying!

[@TheAcaptain]

σικορσκι ??

[@CameronCarter1]

Sorry to anyone trying to add comments. KZbin is deleting them as soon as I manually approve them. Not sure why.

[@sailingcapedissappointment2012]

No worry's Elon is coming. ....

[@lietome2033]

(Wife's account) As an old acft mec ...Much respect sir. You must have been doing it all correct. Good for you man. Great job! Beautiful machine!

[@zekezero12345]

How can people 'dislike' this? The guy BUILT and FLEW his own helicopter!!! Kudos man :)

[@MrHelidude]

Completely agree ..... ✔

[@iantaggart3064]

I think they think it's a fake. i don't think it's a fake.

[@terrygause29653]

Probably because the title suggests that we will see the building of the helicopter ‘from beginning to end’.

[@brandonvessell4659]

Butt hurt jealous people gonna hate

[@autokoffin5216]

@@terrygause29653 And Zeke doesn't reply because your right. No beginning, just end result.

[@CameronCarter1]

I've had a few questions regarding the build that are buried in the comments. So here are some basic figures..... All up weight with Operator and fuel = 350 kg (770 lbs) (aprox) Main rotor diameter = 6.6 m (21.65 ft) Tail rotor = 1.04 m (3.41 ft) Engine = 140 hp Evinrude outboard (1600 cc ) about 46 kg (108 lbs) RPM's = Engine 4900 rpm MR 510 rpm TR 3100 rpm Main rotors = shortened Hughes 500 Tail rotor = home made folded 2024 aluminum around titanium tube spar. Bonded and rivited. Structural aluminium parts = 6061 and laminated 5083 marine grade sheet. Landing gear (hoops) = laminated glass and ply. Fiberglass fuel tank. Micro controller for instruments etc. = Picaxe 40A USB out for simulator. Cheers.

[@charlesdimiaux6415]

+Cameron Carter Could you upload a video off how you actually made it from beginning to end? That would be very helpfull! thxxx

[@CameronCarter1]

+Devine Break That is not possible, it took the best part of twelve years to get this far and only the testing was videoed. Thanks for the interest. There is plenty of information available on the interweb now. Cheers.

[@curtwarkentin2887]

I was curious how long you can stay in the air on one tank of fuel? But it sure looks like a lot of fun. Excellent job.

[@joe-fe8zs]

+Cameron Carter hi, my name is Johan from Indonesia, I congratulate you on your hard work because it has managed to make the helicopter, I am interested in your hard work, may I know how long you make it and how much it costs to make, thanks

[@CameronCarter1]

+Curt Warkentin Hi Curt, I never really worked it out, I used to put in 20 L (4.5 Gallons) each time and it didn't seem to last long. I guess it uses the same as it would in a boat at 3/4 throttle. (140 hp Evinrude outboard) Cheers.

[@CameronCarter1]

Day one un-tethered to dynamic balancing main rotors. A total of about seven hours with about two hours off the ground. Now a museum piece hanging in my shed. Operator training was done using the XPlane simulator only. (Do not try this at home, haha). Unfortunately all of this is illegal in most countries.

[@misterpotato2]

Hi Carter. Its good to see how your flying to an altitude there. I was hoping you jump on the fence in one of your flight training. But what happen? Why does you say it is a museum hanging in your shed? Is it illegal in your country? And what is your future plan?

[@CameronCarter1]

misterpotato2 Yeah, I was tempted. There was a lot more testing and learning to do first. Some loss of power recoveries etc.

[@misterpotato2]

so is it still flying now?

[@CameronCarter1]

misterpotato2 It would need a good going over but it was flying the day I hung it up.

[@misterpotato2]

i still cant understand. sorry. it will still flying in the future right or will stood in your barnyard forever?

[@josh41976]

I just want to let you know that this video was motivation for me to start flying helicopters. I have taken lessons, learned to hover, fly, and auto rotate. I will be taking my check ride next week. After watching your video I had the confidence to do it. Thanks for sharing.

[@CameronCarter1]

Well done Josh, You do realize that when you get your licence you have to come to NZ and take me for a fly (lesson). Good luck on your check ride. :-) Cheers.

[@nalakabandaradisanayake8577]

u r a great guy. ... as u said we can understand how hard our early flyers did.u r a hero of mine. Cheers. God bless u.....

[@Stompist]

Must have felt crazy as it left the ground for the first time. Real fantastic job...really!

[@CameronCarter1]

Thanks Stompist, Yeah, I can remember the thrill like it was yesterday. , Cheers.

[@tsundzukanistokis8202]

Where did u found the engine

[@ksksjsssjsjjss8799]

yesssss he finally was able to make a perfectly working grass straightener

[@quentinbush]

This shows practice makes perfect. Yes, quite an achievement and it looks very impressive.

[@lloydmorrison8580]

OUTSTANDING! Just about every man who likes helicopters, only a small hand full has the Tech savy to build one, let alone the courage to fly one. You did both, and showed us Nothing is impossible, and following a great dream like this is nothing short of AWESOME!

[@CameronCarter1]

+Lloyd Morrison Thanks Lloyd, I find if you steer clear of people who say "you can't do that" then almost anything is possible. I am fortunate to live in a very small town where avoiding negative input is quite easy. Cheers Cam.

[@daviddrake7003]

+Cameron Carter Make plans and sell them! You will make Buku bucks!!

[@topspeederalmond]

I just built a Just Aircraft Superstol and it was longer than a year in jail. I almost quit twice, but now I am a pilot. I just wanted to say, you should be very proud of that. Kuddos to you. I know how hard you worked on that chopper!!!!!!!!!!!! I am guessing it was scratch built? YOUR THE MAN!

[@CameronCarter1]

+Richard Almond Thanks Richard, I enjoy the challenge of DIY so I wouldn't call it hard work. By far the hardest part is complying with big brothers' rules and regulations. Cheers Cam. :-)

[@javacup912]

I have to say, the comments below about a possible dynamic rollover are real, however, I have to give you credit for keeping things manageable and testing. Your machine looks stable. I wouldn't give up on the project. I would experiment chopping the power off, at 5 foot hover, then at 10 feet, to test autorotation recovery. From the video, I noticed that you possibly reached ETL, which could means your machine displayed stability for flight and the rotor blades are aerodynamically sound. I couldn't hear the blades flapping, but you probably detected a sound above and some "shuddering" coming from the rotor disk wanting to fly away. The proximity of the tail rotor location to the main rotor shows that you did your homework to make the rotor wash assist to maintain tail rotor stability. If I was you, I'd get a simple old venturi static system, and a basic pitot system (probably something out of a glider would work to manage extra weight ) and continue your systematic experimenting to find the speed spectrum, and looking for safety issues. Oh, also I have to mention that you have good neighbors for letting you try this, though the grass field looks nice a flat. Also you could seek experimental registration status for your helicopter, and may be able to fly it with restriction like over unpopulated areas, 40 km flying radius, day only, etc. Your video reminded me of Igor Sikorsky experimenting with his machines decades ago, he wasn't a career pilot either. Trial and error with calculated risks is what made our world what it is today. Good luck and be safe. .

[@bonganitunywa7154]

javacup912 u such a good man

[@shrayanmandal2004]

Good hover practice, thats how you know he is driving a good heli..very good

[@dalea1691]

One more Oh my God , I'm out of here. Good job on the build. Excellent.

[@totolaunione3939]

one thing that i learned over at the internet is to never piss off the engineers... they're a pain in the ass. Glad that you were able to achive one of your biggest dreams.

[@mikehansen8372]

For being a homebuilt project this airframe looks really good. Very impressive design. Almost looks like it rolled off a commercial production line :)

[@flygliders]

Wow, great achievement. Thanks for sharing

[@vuelor2451]

Roy Dawson wemdm

[@chopperhedduck]

SWEET!!! Nice work. You seem to have mastered it quickly

[@patrickravet6540]

Une très belle machine, respect et félicitation à son constructeur

[@Ben-Dixey]

I've got a totally new found appreciation for this video, absolutely amazing what you achieved. So much accomplished in just one video. The helicopter is so stable and has plenty of performance.

[@vettebecker1]

I for one Love it!!!! Great job getting it this far.Thanks for sharing

[@ToyManFlyer1100]

Soo, when you gonna start mass-producing a kit for sale....???

[@yoshiyahseven7677]

Seems like I am watching a guy teach himself to fly a helicopter. I notice how he learns control with the pedals and throttle. Nice job really.

[@masterdelrap]

needs bigger engine and a bigger sticks on the top so it can float better

[@curtisoliver1006]

Very Impressive Cameron. Not many could build and learn to fly their own helicopter. Good job. I don't know how anyone would dislike this.

[@bobbean4702]

I'm impressed with your workmanship. nice job. made me want to fly one again.

[@chrisclark8135]

Very impressive! Very stable machine. Stay lucky eh? Good job man.

[@adrienbastarache8096]

I thought you were going to show us how you built it from scratch,homebuilt helicopter from begining to end

[@ryanmavrogiannis5202]

GREAT JOB!!!..you built it and you are learning to fly it by yourself-MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT MATE-KEEP IT UP. The design is awesome . i think you have a marketable helicopter there, as you said a few tweaks more...push on you will get it!!!!! TO ALL THE HATERS OUT THERE-HE DID IT...AND YOU DID SHIT!!!!!

[@TheExaltedPharaoh]

How much can he sell it for?

[@ThePostal67]

You were living my dream.. Never got that much nerve.. Glad you were able to make a controlled flight.. Hanging up is not a bad thing.. If Wilber and Orville had the government like we do, we would still be waiting for the first flight..

[@littlebaw]

I'm just amazed and inspired by the fact that with much effort one can achieve unmeasurable goals, I would've been trilled to be part of your project development. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your success!

[@TabrejAlam-nv1vd]

excellent job.very nice flying just like humming bird

[@boomichael50bmg]

You'd be the bad ass co worker if you just flew to your work in a fucking helicopter landed on the roof and came down through the stairwell and the best part is that you can't be late for work you can simply cut the time in half by going faster and avoiding traffic

[@almulakimaalimalriadiat9068]

+MinecraftViewer :D

[@tracywilkinson1820]

Awesome job.. I remember learning how to hover, and how I felt I would NEVER get the hang of it. Of course I had an instructor to keep me from killing myself. What struck me most was your patience and scientific approach to teaching yourself how to fly. You kept the risk manageable- slowly pushing out the edges of the envelope. It's a shame you did not continue, but from an engineering standpoint you'd reached the limit of acceptable risk.. a completely adult decision. I will tell you this- you learned the hard part. Hovering is the real work. Push the nose through ETL and you become an airplane, and anyone who can design, build and teach himself to fly a helo can obviously fly an airplane. They let any idiot fly those :) Cheers!

[@CameronCarter1]

Wow, Thanks Tracy. I'll have to put you on my Christmas card list :-) .. I would love to get some good instruction but I'm running out of time to make any descent money. If I had this passion thirty years ago, maybe I'd have a license. Cheers Cam

[@florianiscrown]

Well done buddy. Hats off to you.

[@videolabguy]

Awesome accomplishment! Congratulations.

[@trankhuongtuan]

This should be a great build. Could you please list up name of essential parts: engine, propellers,... Thank you and Best Regards,

[@Reddgum]

Nice work Cameron. Innovation is all too often stifled by regulation - here in the States that craft would fall under the EAA (Experimental) and you could legally fly over non-developed areas. I flew ultralights for years before I picked up my single engine fixed wing license, and that's useless now as it's so expensive to rent a plane just for a few hours.

[@MGszamanVlog]

Hi super project . Can I use part of your video to my compilation homemade inventions ?

[@CameronCarter1]

Go ahead!

[@MGszamanVlog]

@@CameronCarter1 Thank You

[@paulbirch8345]

Well done Cameron and -balls of steel I think. Have spent 2 years just getting used to a collective pitch rc helicopter !!

[@CameronCarter1]

Thanks Paul. There seems to be a lot of comparison with RC helicopters but I would imagine the models would be a lot harder to fly due to the fact you are so remote from the action. With the real thing you are joined to the machine through the seat and controls, your brain is not just relying on visual references. RC helicopters and simulators are far more forgiving though ;-) Cheers Cam.

[@dougle2011]

Hi Cameron. I really enjoyed the video, thank you for posting it. well done you. I am in engineering, manual/cnc lathes etc, so I can appreciate the "hard slog" you have had. For a birthday present from family, I got to fly in a Robinson R22 helicopter, one hour tuition, and actually fly it, and hover also, it was great, over the Kent country side, in UK. Keep going Cameron, as far as the "nobs in black will allow" Ignore the negative comments here. God bless , PLEASE keep safe.

[@alcolavista-22]

It’s a nice looking chopper...take ur time😎🚁👍

[@robstanton9215]

Man I’d love the plans for this! I want to fabricate one here on the ranch and I really like your design.

[@CameronCarter1]

When I get some free time I'll put both helicopters into CAD. Cheers Cam.

[@robstanton9215]

@@CameronCarter1 Thank you!!

[@mgtvnews6890]

@@CameronCarter1 when sir

[@CameronCarter1]

To be honest, this is not a good design. It was built from junk I could get my hands on. The Mosquito Air is a far superior design. And proven.

[@mgtvnews6890]

@@CameronCarter1 Did you consider putting a fuselage and what was the projected weight of the same?

[@Willy_Milano]

Very nice, but the first thing I noticed is how close your head is to the blades. A big bump without the safety belt and it will get really messy.

[@DanielLopez-lg3jr]

A metal bar up there would make us less nervous

[@duelette]

outstanding. kudos to you and your devotion to this project!

[@flaplaya]

This is simply amazing.. I don't use the term genius everyday but today I will apply it. Just the courage to strap into that machine and bring it up to speed I was biting my nails.. Continue to be cautious in your invention sir and again, AMAZING!

[@CameronCarter1]

Wow, Thanks for your comments. I find someone who can play a musical instrument simply amazing, this is just a machine. Cheers Cam :-)

[@flaplaya]

Nah, that's much more than a machine. It's a work of art how perfectly it functioned.. You got my hat sir. I'm still blown away pun intend.

[@georgepayazitis562]

I can't believe he built that, I've seen people build stupid things but this is good, well done mate, this is professional, and i don't impress that easily, I can't believe what I'm seeing.

[@kissindzerkiss]

In Kenya and Uganda, guys have built helicopters that never leave the ground. Maybe you should give them some tips on how to build a light body/frame at a low budget.

[@vijays6708]

Mr.Comeron, i have decied to make a single man heli. and i chosen outboard engine (150hp). it will be right?

[@stealhty1]

Congratulation Captain Cameron, what an awesome machine you had created,, have you consider getting in the industry ?? hey this is how Frank D Robinson begin, It will be a honor to fly the Cameron Copter

[@CameronCarter1]

Thanks Stealthy1, I'm not interested in the industry, there are far too many rules and regulations that only the super wealthy can manage. Cheers Cam.

[@stealhty1]

Raven II, Speak for your self , I Believe Cameron have came a very long way a deserve some credits, After all Igor Sikorsky never went to Helicopter flight training School

[@CameronCarter1]

***** Complacency kills most helicopter pilots. :-(

[@stealhty1]

The free Spirit of the adventure,and the thrill of being able to conquer a project of this magnitude, of course someone can go and purchase an pre-built kit of a Rotorway aircraft and take 40 hrs flight lesson that could guaranty the success

[@alexabadi7458]

The Wright brothers would be so proud of you !Great job !

[@CameronCarter1]

+Alex Abadi Haha. The Wright Brothers would probably say WTF! They, and their contemporary's were true pioneers, I just copy stuff that was done 80 years ago. Cheers.

[@tomfranklin8637]

Cameron your sense of achievement is well deserved. Igor Sikorsky would have loved to have the XPlane simulator to help him learn to control his machine. You get a big Well Done from me!

[@CameronCarter1]

HaHa Thanks, yeah, it feels a little bit like cheating aye... Cheers.

[@jenbuckway5570]

Absolutely amazing

[@anthonyporter5988]

Fantastic video! I knew it was NZ from the start of vid. Rugby posts and clever buggers living in the country. Thats no number eight wire machine however! lol well done mate. :-)

[@FritsvanDoorn]

Wow great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@forrestbranton8288]

Looks like a lot of FUN, I fly Hang Gliders and that's enough to scare me, so I'll stick with flying R/C Helicopters, you're a very brave man, please stay safe, and be very carful. Great vid also.

[@ItsVikVaughn]

Congratulations, you've just inspired me to actually do something with my life.

[@CameronCarter1]

+Viktor Vaughn Haha, That's exactly what the authorities don't want to hear.... Good on you, Go for it... :-)

[@charlesfoster141]

I wonder if he had some helicopter training beforehand. If not this is tremendous. Great design, nice copter. All exceptional!!

[@CameronCarter1]

Only XPlane simulator. I used planeMaker to input the parameters and it was virtually identical. (once the rigging was sorted).

[@kentrinfret2979]

Cameron Carter I watched this video many times before years ago, still love seeing it and wishing I was in the drivers seat. What country are you in ? USA here

[@mehmetakbas1465]

Its very good design 🎉🎉 congrulations brother..

[@jimmyboy163]

More left pedal!!!! Just some advice from a retired CW3 army aviator (UH-1's, OH-58's, and CH-47's) Nice job though!

[@TheBlueScarecrow]

I learned in a Robinson. The small one's are really touchy. Nice job!!!

[@mdms2161]

Congratulations man.🎉 A fine project.

[@CameronCarter1]

Thanks! 👍

[@tonybranton]

Could he find somewhere with a few more POLES to fly into?

[@ivandate9972]

should it important to protect pilot's head ?

[@ombralol]

When it successfully started hovering and he landed i was expecting the pilot to go: "YESSS!!!" raising his fists maybe too close to the blades...

[@schl0tte]

+ombralol only in the usa

[@Rad1oD3mon]

This is an amazing build!! I too plan to take to the skies in my lifetime.

[@ddtddt8493]

My hat off to you sir

[@binhowlin3173]

Dual ATP (rotor/fw) guy here. Cool little project and congrats but self teaching ones self how to fly a helicopter is a good way to end up as a smoking hole in the ground and statistic. There’s so much more then wiggling sticks, fly safe

[@CameronCarter1]

Absolutely correct... But what a way to feel alive. :-)

[@porosborobudur]

Go...go....go....flying let's go !!! 😊😊👍👍👍👍

[@budhihantoro7549]

I m from indonesia,,like your project,😍😍

[@kevinmorrison1553]

Nice. It is unnerving and just like watching a r/c helicopter newbie, which I was yrs ago. Your brain tires at first, then, it eventually becomes muscle memory. It looks smooth too 👍🏻

[@CameronCarter1]

The heli also acts as a simulator when parked up. I have it modeled in XPlane and spent about 200hrs learning some "muscle memory". It performed almost identical to the simulator once I got the rigging sorted. Cheers Cam.

[@raytaylor530]

Great job,Great accomplishment.You should be real proud of yourself.You have what it takes to be a pilot(flying the aircraft).Ray the Pilot.

[@shrimpson123]

this is what those blokes in zimbabwe were going for

[@nzmeateater]

The pioneers didn't worry about the tossers in govt,,,, They don't own you. You want to fly it ...then go fly it.. ,,do it on private property, below 500 feet.The only person in danger is you. Cool build by the way,,👍👍👍 not many people can say they have done that, and succeeded.

[@clunkonester4884]

Where did you get to fly this amazing thing? Also, would you mind explaining to me the gear ratios between the engine to the main rotor, and the engine to the tail rotor plus how you made the tail bearings?

[@CameronCarter1]

The main transmission from the engine (140hp Evinrude outboard) comprises of a centrifugal clutch, Sprag clutch, 3:1 gear box (from tractor PTO pump), 3.2:1 chain drive to main rotor. The tail rotor is belt driven via two belts twisting 45 degrees each. The tail feathering bearings are Heim bearings like the Robinson. the engine runs at about 5000 rpm, Main rotor about 520 and the tail about 2900 rpm. This was flown illegally in New Zealand.

[@clunkonester4884]

@@CameronCarter1 thanks man!

[@michaela9579]

Hello Cameron. Excellent build buddy! You wife or girlfriend had me laughing as she watched you practicing. A bit of quick peddle inputs there but...you did a great job sir! Keep up the great work and let us see it when you get a body put on, ok? Thanks and lord Bless~ Bye, MAUSA

[@CameronCarter1]

+Michael A Cheers Michael. :-) (That was my ex and her boyfriend)

[@rockiemountin7535]

Fantastic video something i think every man wishes he could do, the closes i have gotten is RC helicopters,great job thanks for posting

[@CameronCarter1]

+Rockie mountin We have plenty of laws now to prevent such activity, So most guys won't even look at it. Cheers.

[@dieselscience]

Dragging skids along the ground = *VERY DANGEROUS!*

[@CameronCarter1]

Everything about learning to fly a home made helicopter is dangerous.

[@dieselscience]

@@CameronCarter1 No, learning to fly _anything_ is not categorically dangerous but it is unforgiving of dangerous activities like dragging skids along the ground. Dragging skids along the ground is ALSO VERY DANGEROUS in a military helicopter regardless of experience, and those are the farthest from 'home made' as you can find.

[@CameronCarter1]

@@dieselscience That paddock was dead flat with no ruts. Sliding around on the skids was the best way to ascertain the rigging and control issues. Your instructor isn't going to teach you that, obviously.

[@rogersmart1393]

But making your own helicopter isn't? 😂

[@redpillretail]

Small wheels on front maybe?

[@bossdog1480]

Good to see you're being cautious. Choppers crash real easy and they're a lot harder to fly than a fixed wing aircraft. You are being extremely sensible. One overquick move could see it tumble. It's a nice machine. When you were doing the initial short lifts it seemed to be lifting on the right more than the left. Was that just a matter of geting used to the controls or does it have something to do with the rotational force from the blades causing that. You spent enough on it, it would be foolish to jump the gun and just try and fly it higher without knowing what it's going to do. Ignore some of these comments on here. Those guys obviously don't know what is involved. I hope one day to build an aircraft but I think I'll stick with fixed wing. Do you still have the bird?

[@CameronCarter1]

Hi, it hangs left skid down because the tail rotor is trying to push you sideways and you have to compensate with some left cyclic. Also the rigging was off and I'd only flown a simulator. I still have the machine parked up in my shed. I'm currently building another one based on a 2.2 Subaru engine. Cheers Cam.

[@bossdog1480]

@@CameronCarter1 Good to hear. I thought it would be something like that.

[@bluntly2165]

Actually a skilled pilot can land a without engines in a helicoptor easier than a plane. They use the force of gravity to turn the blades by angling it different. Creates a windmill that if done properly its safer than a blane

[@allenwrench990]

Very impressive, sad your victory is grounded for most part due legality. Personally I believe you should have the right after lets say an inspection (annually or hourly based) pay a registration fee, get appropriate insurance, safety gear, and capabilities verified, go through a course, get your eyes checked, rake your pad before take off, checklist done, special fuels obtained, emission controls standardized, flight perimeter permissions permit, pay dues to a Flying Owners Organization, Altimeter regulator to keep it below a certain altitude, fail safes such as a stall limiter, pitch and roll limiter and equipped with a leaf radar. Maybe a life preserver too, just in case you crash into a puddle or a pot hole. Live the dream, be happy, and rejoice knowing your liberty will be short lived. Wait...is that in America? Lol, have fun!

[@CameronCarter1]

Haha, Don't forget the team of lawyers to cover my ass when I graze my knee tripping over the seat belt. Cheers :-) (New Zealand)

[@MartynPhilo]

Very very impressive, a fantastic achievement - I'm feeling very inspired. I have always fancied flying a helicopter but can only dream. I did have a 2 hour trial flight for my 40'th and loved it. Had money not been a problem would have loved to continue. However you made your dream come true. I take my hat off to you! If I were you I'd be out there flying my hard work until someone came along with a good reason not to!

[@CameronCarter1]

Martyn Philo Thanks Martyn, It's a shame that the thrill of helicopter flight is only available to the super wealthy.Helicopters are inherently unstable and the simplest way to keep accidents from hitting the headlines everyday is to limit the activity to the "1 percenters". Get yourself a Mosquito kitset and live the dream. Cheers Cam.

[@xaviertst1680]

I also felt accomplished saw his flight, felt completed a dream I have a long time, already almost a year of his flight, hopefully has won many clouds. God blesses those who have faith ....... Stay well.