A Plane Is Born (1)
A Plane is Born, presented by Mark Evans, is a 15 part series for Discovery Home and Leisure, in which he not only learns to fly but also builds his own two-seater aeroplane. During the course of the series, he tackles everything from the composite control surfaces to the installation of the engine. The series takes the viewer for the first time through the step-by-step process of building a 200 mph kit aircraft, capable of flying from England to the South of France on a single tank of fuel.
Seasons & Episode
Mark visits the Popular Flying Association Rally at Cranfield to see some of the 3000 or so home-built and vintage aircraft that have flown in for the weekend. Mark talks to Graham Newby, the Chairman of the PFA and the Editor of Flyer Magazine who takes him through the perils and pit falls of building his own plane
Mark travels to the Europa Factory in North Yorkshire where after seeing all the components that go into making a kit, he takes a test flight with Technical Director Andy Draper. In part two Mark starts his private pilot training at Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire with instructor Carl Bowen.
In the workshop work begins on the Europa's wings and Mark puts his composite skills to the test. In part two he continues his flight training as he learns about climbing and descending. Nigel Marshall and Rob Cooper talk about the Pitenphol Air-camper they built at work in their lunch-hours.
Work on the plane continues with the Cockpit module and control yokes. Mark also receives a visit from Neville Eyre, his PFA inspector who checks to see that his work so far is air worthy. Over at Staverton Airport it's pass the sick bag when Mark is introduced to "stalling". Finally we are introduced to an American aircraft owned by Michael Wells where the propeller is at the back!
Work on the aeroplane moves to the Tailplane and Mark gets to grips with an electronic spirit level. Back at the Flying School Mark attempts circuits and touch and go landings. And in our profile of kit aircraft builders it's the turn of Olle Berquist, an enthusiast from Sweden
Mark is back on familiar ground as he fits brakes, wheels and undercarriage to his aeroplane, Martin Dovey introduces us to his vintage Kit-Plane the Kit Fox and it is the turn of Navigation to further perplex Mark as he continues his flying lessons
A packed programme sees major progress on the plane with the rudder assembly completed and the fuselage top on and finally bonded. Back at Staverton, Mark lerns how to talk - important for a presenter but vital for a pilot as he masters the rudiments of radio communication. In our loving look at other kit-planes we meet fellow Europa constructor Peter Kember who was the first ever to home-build a Europa Kit.
The interior starts to get the red carpet treatment (well Blue actually) as Mark takes on the job of carpeting and upholstering his aeroplane with aircraft trimmer Matthew Leach. At Aeros it's advanced flying as Mark gets to grips with steep banked turns and spinning while vintage aircraft feature in our regular look at PFA aircraft, this programme profiles Steve Leach's 1941 Taylor craft BC65.
A Red letter day as Mark prepares for his PPL Test at Aeros, and we recap his flying lessons from throughout the series; meanwhile, his aeroplane is transformed with a coat of paint and Mark applies the decals to make it unique. Finally it is the turn of Tony Palmer to show us his own pride and joy - his Avid Speedwing.