CG problem solved

I did a quick initial weight-and-balance check on a paper napkin and found that the undercarriage has to move back to keep things balanced. Easy fix though. Just need to turn around the base plate of the chair and we're ready to move forward.

McGuyver

Need to do some custom precision one-axis non-cnc bending and aluminum welding to make the brackets that will fix the engine to the main structure. No problem. Can-do-attitude.

Marriage

This electric motor I got out of my dryer weighs about 60 pounds or so. Seems heavy at first, so I left it on the workbench. This is almost like a classic marriage, where powertrain and body assembly are coming together.

Start Of Production

The office chair has done so well in testing the other day, that I decided to use that as main structure, chassis, fuselage, landing gear, and seat, of course. A picture is coming together in my mind. Let's drill some attachment holes first and then go from there.

Zzzzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzzzz

This seems like the way to go...a simple electric motor with a rotor...steering done by weight shift method...i like that electric thing...what about anti-torque though...and flight controls...zzzzzzz...

Practicing

Hovering is so easy! So with the training out of the way, let's get some materials and start putting stuff together.

Working on it...

Reading up about homebuilt helicopters. There are quite some exotic concepts. Most of them use a combustion engine or turbine of some sort. Not convinced that that's the way to go in the 21st century. Will have to do some more thinking.

Poll 1 Closed.

The vote is closed. Thanks everyone for voting, you're awesome! 13 people voted. I will go build a helicopter tomorrow. Meantime I have to come up with a plan...Does anyone know how to build a helicopter?

Birthday!

Hi! Today's my birthday. Just let me know what I should do. And I will go off and do it. Simple.

Poll on the right closes: 7/17/09 noon EST