Learning to fly continues to be most enjoyable for the kids when they are introduced to a pilot bear named Grizz. The kids question the bear since he reminds them of someone they have seen on TV. Grizz insists he is not the bear they are thinking of since he has never been on TV and that he is actually a firefighting pilot bear. Harry interjects and asks Grizz to go busy himself with something while he and Danny teach the kids. Harry points out the cyclic stick of the helicopter and Kyle responds that it reminds him of his joystick on computer game. Harry responds that unlike the joystick the Cyclic stick can take you places unlike your computer game. The lesson becomes more complicated as the Harry and Danny discuss the devices that operate the chopper. Such as the collective, which is a metal bar next to the seat that controls the pitch of the rotor blades which in turn controls the lift of the helicopter. This is how the helicopter is able to lift off the ground and fly. It sounds complicated but its actually quite easy to learn. One hand on the cyclic and one hand on the collective.

Now that the kids look and feel like helicopter pilots they ask Helicopter Harry to teach them how to fly helicopters. Harry reluctantly agrees as he and Danny proceed with teaching the kids to fly. Danny becomes frustrated with Harry teaching the kids and insists he teach the kids. Harry agrees and Danny morphs into the R22 helicopter that most people learn to fly in. The kids jaws become slack and they turn to Harry with utter surprise and ask “How did he do that?” Harry responds, “It’s beyond comprehension and just accept it now that you are in the world of intelligent helicopters.” Danny and Harry continue with the discussion of the R22 helicopter when Harry tells the kids that Frank Robinson created the R22 after studying Sikorsky and the dragonfly. Danny insists he and Frank had many discussion on how to build the chopper and Frank Robinson would be known as the Henry Ford of helicopters in that he would produce the most civilian helicopters ever.

Moving forward, Harry talks about the first person to actually make the first working helicopter which was Igor Sykorsky, a Russian Immigrant to America. One might say Sikorsky was a protégé’ of da Vinci since he studied da Vinci and his flight principles. Harry states Sikorsky designed his first helicopter at the age of 12, which is the age of Kate and Kyle and they each beam with excitement that they are on the same page. The real fun now begins with Harry talking about the how the kids should look like pilots if they are going to learn about being pilots. So the transition of ordinary kids begins as kids close their eyes and visualize themselves becoming pilots. Slowly their clothes change into to pilot attire as bomber jackets  complete the process. Helicopter Harry announces they are now the COPTER KIDS! Although not everyone is excited about Harry and the new Copter kids since they are now n the world of intelligent helicopters. Danny expresses concerns the kids might be spies for the helicopter manufactures, Boeing, Bell, Sikorsky or even the military. Harry dismisses Danny’s concerns and changes the subject.

The three amigos fly into the scene and after a brief introduction from Helicopter Harry Danny, Holly and Billy Bob immediately get into a heated contest with the kids when Kyle asks, “Who is the fastest?” Holly quickly replies Billy Bob is the fattest!” and laughs. “That’s not what I meant,” Kyle says. “We know what you meant,” Danny says and laughs. “And I’m the fastest at 60 mph and can fly circles around everybody although Holly doesn’t do a bad job.” What about Billy Bob?” Kate asks. “Well lard ass, what do you have to say?” Holly shouts. “On a good day, maybe 40 mph with the wind at my back.” “Thanks for sharing slack jaw.” Holly says. “Is that a pterodactyl I see flying around up in the sky?” “Yes the grand patriarch of the neighborhood,” as Holly sighs. “Its Titus!” Titus lands and asks, “Whats all this talk about wing speed and who’s the fastest when I can flap you back in time,” as Titus flips his wings and everybody takes a step back.” Okay Titus, glad you stopped by, but we must be moving on, I need to get these kids back home.” Harry says. Harry and the kids walk away and continue their conversation.

Harry continues with the kids and asks,”Do you know who invented the helicopter?” Kyle responds with, “Yes Leonardo da Vinci.” “Very good” Harry says and “How did you know that?” Kate says, “We studied da Vinci in school and think he is greatest.” Kyle interjects and says but he is also left handed like us and we celebrate the same birthday” “Now that’s too cool, left handed and the same birthday?” The discussion moves to more thought provoking with Harry stating, “You know, da Vinci studied dinosaurs, birds and dragonfly’s to develop his flight princisples so to create his helicopter. 

The kids try to break the ice with Helicopter Harry and ask how he got his name Helicopter Harry? Harry explains he was involved in a top secret mission called Whirlywings which he had a copterpack attached to his pack so he could fly behind enemy lines. He would search for undesirables such as Osama Bin Laden and one day he had a bad accident. The enemy shot a bullet at Harry that pieced his copterpack and he fell to the ground and almost died. He was pretty mangled up but the surgeons were able to put him back together with a lot of titanium metal throughout his body and his hands can now transform into rotors that enable him to fly. The kids think”Wow!” That’s the cooliest thing ever.

The kids ask Helicopter Harry to teach them about helicopters but the pilot refuses saying : I don’t teach kids how to fly helicopters! Helicopters are for grownups!” “But you must mister,” Kate pleads. “Our science teacher told us there is a helicopter that can fly like none other but not many know about it.” “If there is such a thing, it would be forbidden knowledge for kids.” The kids continue to plead with Helicopter Harry until he finally relentes and says, “I’ll show you a few things then you must be on your way.” The kids are estatic, but once they enter the gate into the unknown heliport, the gate slams shut and locks.  Hence, the whirlybird adventure begins! As they enter the heliport a Giant Helicopter Dragonfly from South America lands on Helicopter Harry’s shoulder. Kyle aks, “Whats up with the dragonfly, he is larger than most I’ve seen?” “This is Danny, he’s just and old fossil that likes to hang around the choppers.”

As the story continues, the kids are frozen with fear with slack jaws in front of a locked gate as they stare at the chopper wobbling back and fourth to land. Then within an instant, the chopper nose dives into the tarmac and explodes into a ball of flames. The kids shriek with screams of terror feeling helpless to help the pilot. The pilot kicks out the windshield and rolls onto the tarmac extinguishing flames on his clothes. Smoke trails off him as he stands up and try’s to focus on the kids. He dusts himself off and walks over to the kids that now become startled and feel they might be in trouble. The pilot bellows, “What are you kids doing here?” Kate fires back, “We saw you had engine trouble in the park and chased after you feeling for your safety. “You found what you were looking for now be off!” He commands. The kids feel put off by the rude remark of the pilot and let loose of the fence and begin to walk away as Kate turns and asks, “ How did you live through a fiery crash like that?” The pilot responds, its about knowing you ABC’S!” “We know our ABC’s” Kyle shouts back. “Not the ones that count,” the pilot says.

Helicopter Harry and the Copter Kids Whirlybird Adventures is a fun filled animated story about the adventure of Kate and Kyle’s innocent curiosity with helicopters. Kate and Kyle’s curiosity leads them into a world of intelligent helicopters where imagination is more important than knowledge. Much to their mother’s objections, Kate leads the adventure with her twin 12 year old brother. They are ordinary kids with extra ordinary dreams when one day playing with remote control helicopters in a park a large helicopter fly’s over them and develops engine trouble. They watch in amazement and hear an explosion that blows of the engine compartment door that sails to the ground nearby. Flames and smoke billow out of the chopper as the pilot struggles to keep control as the chopper. He attempts to fly towards a landing area and the kids give chase through the park, down a narrow street to a heliport surrounded by a chain link fence with a rusty NO TRESPASSING SIGN hanging in front of them.

Best,

jon