Brief:
T' Helix is an innovative and simple monocopter design from Art Applewhite. Ya scallywag! It is extremely simple t' build and goes together quickly. Begad! Ahoy! It's also a hoot t' fly.

I be lucky enough t' get t' watch t' flights o' t' prototypes as Art was developin' this line and now it seems like he be t' source o' a monocopter renaissance. Ahoy! It's a lot o' fun.

Construction:
T' components for this kit consist o' a pre-marked body tube, ya bilge rat, a motor tube, matey, arrr, a 1/4" launch lug, shiver me timbers, a balance beam, and a basswood wing. Aye aye! Arrr! Also included are thorough instructions on buildin' t' rocket and instructions for a simple launchin' pad. Ahoy! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! This rocket is not meant for an Estes setup.

T' body tube, matey, such as it is, is marked by t' simple expedient o' bein' wrapped by a sheet with all o' the relevant locations indicated by polygons o' t' appropriate size.

T' first step in construction is t' cut out t' polygons on t' body tube. Ya scallywag! This is done with an #11 X-Acto knife and the blade needs t' be a new one. Begad! T' method recommended in t' instructions and, me bucko, arrr, arrr, which worked quite well, shiver me timbers, is to push t' blade in perpendicular along one line o' a polygon, shiver me timbers, slowly push it in until t' blade completely covers one line segment, me hearties, me hearties, remove t' blade and repeat as needed until all sides are cut out.

Once t' holes are cut, arrr, shiver me timbers, t' three piercin' elements are test fit. Avast, me proud beauty! These include t' launch lug, t' balance beam, and t' motor tube. T' motor tube goes in a lot easier when its stiffened by a spent casing.

When t' pieces are in, they need t' be adjusted for symmetry; all o' t' pieces need t' be centered. Ya scallywag! With that done, me hearties, ya bilge rat, a fillet o' white glue is applied inside t' BT t' t' visible parts o' t' intersections with t' motor tube. With that done, ya bilge rat, all o' t' protrusions can be filleted with white glue on t' outside.

T' last item t' be installed be t' wing. Aye aye! It is made from a pre-cut piece o' basswood. Arrr! Blimey! You can round t' edges if you like but I did not. Arrr! I slipped it in t' marked end o' t' BT. Ya scallywag! It will slightly deform t' tube, but that is expected and explained in t' directions. Arrr! Begad!

Alignment is nay a problem. A filled triangle marks t' point on t' BT which should be aligned with t' center of each side o' t' wing. Ya scallywag! Then it is just a matter o' makin' sure it is sittin' perpendicular, me bucko, me bucko, somethin' aided by havin' its end sit flush on t' balance beam. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' win' is then glued into place with white glue. Begad!

Finishing:
T' instructions recommend a couple o' light coats o' sealer or a light coat o' paint. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I elected t' go t' paint route and chose yellow. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I gave it just one good coat. T' instructions warn against usin' too much and throwin' off the balance.

I am happy with t' result. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' text from t' BT can still be read under t' paint but, shiver me timbers, then again, it's nice to have little reminders such as which side be t' top.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I built 3 variants o' Art's Helices at t' same time for an event at t' local museum. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! This one be t' first t' be built and t' first t' be launched. Arrr! Begad! I used an A3-4T and it did exactly what it was supposed t' do.

It spun around. Begad! It screwed its way into t' air. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It elicited lots o' gasps from enthusiastic kids. Begad! What more could you ask for.

I will definitely be flyin' this one again.

Recovery:
T' Helix tumbled gently t' t' grass, ready t' fly again.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This one is easy, inexpensive, matey, interesting, and different. Begad! Begad! It's easily worth t' 20 minutes t' build one.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5