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Farmer builds and flies own whirlybird

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-03 14:36

Chen Zhaorong, 42, is a well-known figure in his Shantou, Guangdong province, home since becoming the first local farmer to successfully build and fly his own helicopter.

Chen always attracts a crowd of onlookers when he prepares his 6 m-long, 100 kg whirlybird, which cost him 70,000 yuan ($10,000) to build, for take off.

Chen, whose education went no further than junior high school, has always been obsessed with building helicopters.

He began work on this pet project two and a half years ago, during which time he bought a second-hand engine and other necessary helicopter parts from around the country.

Chen also spent large amounts on flying lessons and learning about helicopter technologies in Panyu and Anyang before formally ascending the skies in his very own helicopter.

(Guangzhou Daily)