Who Made a Helicopter in Zimbabwe?

Science and technology have always been a priority for Zimbabwe since 1980. The state has adopted policies to ensure that, science is prioritized. In 2012 the state adopted the 2nd Science and Technology policy. The policy was supported by a US$1.5 million allocation of funds by the government for research and development.

The establishment of the STEM program is one endeavour or strategy that has been used to nurture young minds and stimulate interest in the scientific field. Additionally, the school curriculum has allocated 30% of the educational period to science subjects. This is an endeavour to promote innovation, science, and technology.   

IT in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is currently ranked as one of the most technological countries in Africa. It is ranked in the top 10. In 2021 Zimbabwe was ranked 113 by the Global innovation index. The state’s high literacy rate has been highlighted as a sufficient doorway toward the realization of scientific and technological advancement.

Inventions Made in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, very few citizens have been alleged to have made helicopters. Surprisingly all the inventors refer to themselves as artists. However, they have pursued inventions with surprising results. Daniel Chingoma and Maxwell Chikumbutso and Barnabas Sibanda are known for their ingenuity and determination towards creating the gadgets of tomorrow.

Maxwell Chikumbutso is currently the talk of the town due to his green energy that has been used to power various gadgets.  The innovator has invented a helicopter with a hybrid engine that uses all fuels for operations. The helicopter has not yet been tested. The helicopter is made up of, aluminium, BSI Steel, Mica hardware, and bolts. The helicopter has a fly-by-wire capacity. His system reaches the analogue flight control.

Daniel Chingoma is one such inventor In Zimbabwe who developed a helicopter in 2003 and 2009 respectively. The crafts never flew. The helicopters were made from scrap metal and a Lexus v8 engine with mirrors from a bakkie truck and a tobacco thermometer in the cockpit. 

The inventor whilst possessing little to no formal education in the field has produced a prototype which is now stationed at the Harare exhibition centre. Regardless of the failure to meet set standards of the aviation authority, the ability to create such a magnificent craft should be hailed.

Barnabas Sibanda in 1994 in Bulawayo created a helicopter which was named the Zim-copter. The vision behind the dream is to create a cheap and quick means of transport. The helicopter was a working prototype; is claimed to have cost the innovator $17 000. However, the prototype was never regularized. The innovator claims that the helicopter cumulatively flew close to 65 km.