Instructions
Types of Homemade Helicopters
Buy a model kit. There are numerous RC helicopter kits available commercially that can be assembled at home, ranging from $20 inexpensive toys to several thousand dollar 1/10 scale replica helicopters. See the Reference section for a few representative examples.
Build a model from scratch. Some mechanically-inclined helicopter enthusiasts even make their own model helicopters from scratch at home, which can be quite a challenge given the complexities of helicopter aerodynamics. Some enthusiasts are trying to develop the optimum helicopter for specific tricks and flying stunts.
However, the model aircraft industry has developed to the stage where there are a number of prefab "off-the shelf" parts available for the hobbyist to custom design his/her own helicopter or other aircraft.
Build a real one at home. Serious hobbyists can even build their own small passenger carrying helicopter at home. There are actually numerous kits on the market from several manufacturers, with prices ranging up to several hundred thousand dollars.
A few very serious helicopter enthusiasts have even constructed their own helicopters from scratch, including forging their own rotors!
Make just make one out of paper. You can also make a fun paper "helicopter" that will rotate and flutter to the ground when dropped with a single sheet of paper and a paper clip.