Made In Africa: Tanzania Building Its Own Helicopter Which Would Soon Take To Flight

Tanzania are building a locally made chopper which would soon take to its skies.
The chopper, a two seater aircraft, is being developed by the Mechanical and Engineering Department of the Arusha Technical College- the prototype is already nearing completion, but is set to be fully operational in 2018.
“We are complementing President Magufuli’s industrialisation policy in pioneering the first locally made helicopters that will be available to ordinary residents at affordable prices,” Engineer Abdi Mjema, head of the project, said.
The idea was conceived by two engineers at the institute, Mjema and a colleague, and building has been going on since with assemblage of parts.
The chopper is half complete, and would utilise a VW engine powered by gasoline. The main technical issue still to be completed is the addition of its main rotor, which would occur when aviation authority approval is received.
“We had initially intended the two-seater helicopter to be used for surveillance, rescue and agricultural purposes. However, as the project takes shape, we may increase the airframes to carry more people for serious transportation,” Mjema added.