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The farmer starts his helicopter’s propellers as he prepares for take-off. Photo: Cnr.com
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New | Made in China: farmer’s homemade helicopter fails to fly – again – after he spends three years and 200,000 yuan building it

Mandy Zuo
Mandy Zuoin Shanghai
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A farmer in southeast China spent three years and 200,000 yuan (HK$237,000) building his own helicopter – only to find out that it cannot fly.

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The helicopter, which is 2.6 metres tall, 2.5 metres long and weighs about 650kg, failed its second trial flight earlier this week, China National Radio reported.

It also failed its first trial flight, conducted one-and-a-half years ago.

The farmer examines his home-made aircraft as villagers and members of the press look on. Photo: Cnr.com
The farmer, in his 50s, said he built the helicopter out of interest and would go on working on the aircraft until he managed to make it fly.

The latest trial flight was conducted at a playground in the farmer’s village in Dexing, Jiangxi province.

The helicopter’s engine sputters and spews out steam; it was not powerful enough to lift the aircraft. Photo: Cnr.com
The test drew the attention and interest of many villagers as well as members of the media, but the aircraft remained on the ground 10 minutes after its propellers were started.

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The helicopter failed to take off because the old engine the farmer had installed was not powerful enough to lift the aircraft, the report said.

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