Most everyone wanted to have their very own awesome flying machine (preferably made in their own backyard) when they were kids. What is uncommon is someone who actually follows through with their childhood dream to one day build their very own lean mean flying machine.

Wu Zhongyuan had always dreamt of owning his very own chopper. As a kid, he wanted nothing better than to fly to school in his chopper instead of having to climb the mountain. Wu got his wish but at 20 years of age, he probably isn’t going to be flying this to any school. Wu, a farmer from Luoyang, China, has built a wooden chopper on his own. According to the man, he did it based only on his middle school physics knowledge and resources he found on the internet (I tried visiting how-to-build-your-own-chopper.com but the site wouldn’t work for me). What’s more, the whole thing cost him barely $1,600.

The blades of the chopper are made from elm wood and the framework is fortified with steel pipes. Powering the chopper is an engine from a motorcycle. Wu says the chopper can reach 2,600ft but unfortunately the Chinese government has forbidden him from flying it. Now that sucks!

Via: Geekologie/Ananova