BALASORE: He does not know much about aero-dynamics or the Bernouilli principle. He, however, claims to have developed an helicopter that can fly at a speed of at least 50 km per hour and at a height of one km above the surface.
Sk Mahasin (28) of Khaparapada area in Balasore town has prepared the one-seater helicopter by using the engine of a Rajdoot motorcycle, iron bars, poles, rods, plates, chains, pinions and resin sheets.
What sets him apart from others is that he has no knowledge and education about the mechanics of a helicopter.
It took seven years for Mahasin, a cycle mechanic by profession, to complete his dream project. He has spent around Rs 2 lakh on the project.
“The venture started some time in 2004 when I was working as a mechanic in a cycle shop. It was my childhood dream to fly in the sky which led me to invent this,” he said.
Mahasin said unlike other helicopters, this copter would take off after running nearly half-a-km on the runway. “Pinions and gear help the engine to take off. It has four wings which help it sustain in the air. They are shaped in such a way that the air underneath gets slower than the air above the wing. This generates a bigger pressure on the lower part of the wing than on the upper part,” he said.
On his initial days of struggle, he said, his thoughts actually took shape after he purchased a Rajdoot motorcycle at Rs 8,000. After six months of ride, he dismantled it and used its engine to make the helicopter.
Mahsin started the project with his savings of Rs 50,000 and later, borrowed Rs 1.2 lakh from local micro-finance companies to complete it.
The journey so far has not been a bed of roses for him. His parents - Sk Hasin and Khatiza Bibi - were never sure of his endeavour. His friends discouraged him as well. “I was disappointed initially but when the project started taking shape, I never looked back,” he said.
Mahasin is readying to go for a test ride near a sea beach here on Monday and has sought permission from the district administration.
“Earlier, I tested the helicopter and it flew at a height of six feet. Its mileage is about 50 km. I will go for a complete flight and gauge its performance once I get the clearance from the administration,” he added.
