Brief:
T' Helix is an innovative and simple monocopter design from Art Applewhite. Ahoy! It is extremely simple t' build and goes together quickly. 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. Aye aye! Blimey! It's a lot o' fun.

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

T' body tube, 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. Ahoy! Aye aye! This is done with an #11 X-Acto knife and the blade needs t' be a new one. Blimey! T' method recommended in t' instructions and, which worked quite well, arrr, is to push t' blade in perpendicular along one line o' a polygon, ya bilge rat, arrr, slowly push it in until t' blade completely covers one line segment, me hearties, shiver me timbers, remove t' blade and repeat as needed until all sides are cut out.

Once t' holes are cut, t' three piercin' elements are test fit. These include t' launch lug, arrr, ya bilge rat, me hearties, t' balance beam, and t' motor tube. Begad! 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. With that done, me bucko, a fillet o' white glue is applied inside t' BT t' t' visible parts o' t' intersections with t' motor tube. With that done, all o' t' protrusions can be filleted with white glue on t' outside.

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

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

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

I am happy with t' result. Aye aye! Avast! T' text from t' BT can still be read under t' paint but, ya bilge rat, then again, matey, me hearties, 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. Avast! This one was t' first t' be built and t' first t' be launched. Avast! I used an A3-4T and it did exactly what it was supposed t' do.

It spun around. Avast! It screwed its way into t' air. It elicited lots o' gasps from enthusiastic kids. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! What more could you ask for.

I will definitely be flyin' this one again.

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5