Above 1200 Sq/FT Abandoned Heliport | Studio + Garage

[driftpin]

A suggestion about your climbing wall, if it's actually going to be used, you should first check with your insurer for coverage. I'm sure something like that needs a rider, additional coverage, whatever, because of the inherent risks. If it cannot pay for itself, 'for decorative use only!'

The Aerospatiale is what the Coast Guard uses here in Florida, I see 'em all the time, flying the coastline. Sounds like a very-unusual Airb&b property.
Correction to the original version of my post here:
The owner of MV Agusta motorcycles got his $$$$ for building bikes in part from building helicopters.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Cool property!

 

[tj675]

SPEEDMINDED, you're my hero! Now anytime my wife gives me the stinkeye when I bring something home I can show her your helicopter. I'm sure that will save me ...not.

Best regards,

Scott

Yeah just tried it my wife and her exact comment was “Do you really think if you had a use for helicopter chassis you wouldn’t spend $4k on it?” Yep she’s right I would.

Such a cool space just getting better.

 

[hardtop5000]

Indoor helicopter = unspeakably cool

 

[ChefRex]

Following along!

 

[m6z]

Awesome property.

 

[sca037]

Wow, what a cool project!

 

[Relax]

Just when you thought you've seen it all on GJ, somebody gets a helicopter!!! I'd love to have that on my lawn. You should fab up some fake rotors to give it full effect!

 

[driftpin]

Just when you thought you've seen it all on GJ, somebody gets a helicopter!!! I'd love to have that on my lawn. You should fab up some fake rotors to give it full effect!

Just get some real 'timed-out' rotors, that seems like the easiest way to complete 'the look.'

 

[speedminded]

Just get some real 'timed-out' rotors, that seems like the easiest way to complete 'the look.'

If I do find or build the rotor blades I still need the rotor assembly and that's probably even more challenging! I could probably "wing" it with some scrap metal and maybe some shocks or turnbuckles but going without would probably be better.

Another issue is this Aérospatiale/Eurocopter use a 3-blade rotor setup. I plan to park this about 6' from the side wall so it technically wouldn't fit and I don't feel right putting a 2-blade rotor on it. Details I don't want to think about right now lol!

A suggestion about your climbing wall, if it's actually going to be used, you should first check with your insurer for coverage. I'm sure something like that needs a rider, additional coverage, whatever, because of the inherent risks. If it cannot pay for itself, 'for decorative use only!'

The Aerospatiale is what the Coast Guard uses here in Florida, I see 'em all the time, flying the coastline. Sounds like a very-unusual Airb&b property.

Lamborghini got his $$$$ for building cars in part from building helicopters.

I definitely won't be setting it up as climbing wall for people to use, especially unattended. At this point I'm contemplating building weird looking above ground planters out of them lol!

 

[Relax]

If I do find or build the rotor blades I still need the rotor assembly and that's probably even more challenging! I could probably "wing" it with some scrap metal and maybe some shocks or turnbuckles but going without would probably be better.

If you're going for authentic, then yeah, it will be challenging. I was just thinking about a simple mast and hub and then blades made out of foam with something to reinforce them from drooping.

 

[speedminded]

If you're going for authentic, then yeah, it will be challenging. I was just thinking about a simple mast and hub and then blades made out of foam with something to reinforce them from drooping. Real blades weigh 100+ lbs, so if you built a mast and hub, they'd need to be pretty solid.

I would probably use something like piano wire to support them from the ceiling—it's unlikely it will be moved much once it's built out with the video game system and bed inside but it would be nice to be able to wheel it outside into the "motor court" every once in a while. Who knows, might need to park a couple cars in it's place or have a larger gathering space as needed!

 

[Pressingonward]

That helicopter is epic. Way cool.

You could get a damaged blade and mount it on the wall nearby so it looks like it came flying off and is sticking through the wall

 

[Johanfpa]

Just get some real 'timed-out' rotors, that seems like the easiest way to complete 'the look.'

Hard to come by because a lot of helicopter manufacturers ask you to return the blade roots before they ship you out a new blade because in the past some of those timed out blades ended up being sold on with falsified records and then failed after being used past the "time-out" causing accidents.

 

[555]

In the early 90s I flew a Loach aka OH-6 Cayuse. It cost $750 to start it.

 

[Toolfool]

Hang a Bigass fan over it. Decorative and Functional.

 

[Chrisb62]

As well as expensive as ................

 

[Denwood]

Talk about a breath of fresh air! The setup, your scavenging prowess and even your kindness with venomous snakes makes this a subscribe thread in my book The world needs more people like you.

Keep posting your progress..I'll be following along with the rest of the crowd.

 

[shortykorte]

As well as expensive as ................

If you spend 4K for an indoor helo, big *** fan is nothing plus it’s a business expense.

 

[Toolfool]

It would be ready to fly !!!!

 

[Relax]

OP's original idea: "put a couple race seats in it with a video game system and kid's bed in the back"

After all the GJ comments:

 

[Chrisb62]

OP's original idea: "put a couple race seats in it with a video game system and kid's bed in the back"

After all the GJ comments:

I don't think we are done spending his money yet... just like here hold my beer

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I want a helicopter!

Awesome stuff.

 

[speedminded]

A quick shot from last night reminding myself how many projects I have to work on!

I'll post up a build on the disappearing fountain once I get some stone to cover the base with.

 

[Farmall450]

A quick shot from last night reminding myself how many projects I have to work on!

I'll post up a build on the disappearing fountain once I get some stone to cover the base with.

The chopper is pretty damn cool, especially for $4k.

 

[speedminded]

Update
The hangar compound has officially expanded 2 acres and another building! Progress has been slow for a number of reasons but the main goal was always to acquire the neighboring property—I can finally shift my focus back to the hangar build out!

History & Plans
The new property was the original crop dusting operation that was here in the 1960’s and 70’s. The barn they flew a Bell 47 sprayer out of was in disrepair and just a pile of rubble when I purchased the adjoining property in 2017.

In 2019 a previous owner cleared the debris to build this shop on the existing pad. It’s 36x48x14’ with (2) 12x12’ doorways on the front. He only had one of the glass garage doors installed because his Class A RV prevented a door from closing. It was $3,300 [installed] in 2019 and my latest quote for a matching one was $8,000 *sigh*.

Not wanting to wait for trusses to be built, they laminated beams for rafters and installed the roof with 6 support columns. I can make do for now but hopefully one day I’ll be able to remove the roof (salvaging most of the materials) and install trusses. The goal would be (3) 12x14’ barn doors on the front and I’ll likely move the 12x12’ glass garage door to the south side of the building facing the helicopter pad.

Half of the property nearest the hangar is relatively flat while one acre slopes downhill with about 200’ of creek frontage at the bottom. With a little cleanup it will be a perfect area for a small deck or pavilion near the creek under the mature trees!

The property was sold shortly after the garage/shop was built and the owners attempted a small farming operation in 2020-2021. At one point there was 4 RV’s with 10-20 people living there along with 15-20 dogs, goats, sheep, and dozens of chickens and ducks. It’s been vacant for the past year but dumpsters will be arriving soon and the cleanup begins!

 

[m6z]

Congrats on the land purchase.

 

[shortykorte]

Great update. Look forward to more.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

The expansion sounds great. I wanna play in the helicopter.

 

[isonic]

NIce. At least the posts don't look like they are in bad spots with in the new garage. Looking forward to updates!

 

[ErickForest]

You should send you plans to Air BNB. They are giving away 100k to complete your dream space.
https://news.airbnb.com/omgfund/

 

[Farmall450]

Nice to see an update -- long overdue!

 

[speedminded]

You should send you plans to Air BNB. They are giving away 100k to complete your dream space.
https://news.airbnb.com/omgfund/

Thank you! I’ve been checking their website every few weeks since early 2020 waiting for updates. I applied to the June ‘20 contest and it’s been postponed ever since. I’ve e-mailed and messaged them multiple times for updates lol!

 

[Zexx]

Man when I was looking to move up to Atl I saw this property but couldnt afford it at the time. You are doing a great job there!

 

[67CarGuy]

Whew - what a journey! Just found this thread today, and took way too much of my workday () reading it through. Awesome scavenging and reuse of discarded materials, and great use(s) of space. Definitely has the Dirk Pitt feel to it, as others have noted.

Hope to see more updates soon!

 

[Hellpig]

Hope to see more updates soon!

THIS!

 

[wachuko]

Update
The hangar compound has officially expanded 2 acres and another building! Progress has been slow for a number of reasons but the main goal was always to acquire the neighboring property—I can finally shift my focus back to the hangar build out!

History & Plans
The new property was the original crop dusting operation that was here in the 1960’s and 70’s. The barn they flew a Bell 47 sprayer out of was in disrepair and just a pile of rubble when I purchased the adjoining property in 2017.

In 2019 a previous owner cleared the debris to build this shop on the existing pad. It’s 36x48x14’ with (2) 12x12’ doorways on the front. He only had one of the glass garage doors installed because his Class A RV prevented a door from closing. It was $3,300 [installed] in 2019 and my latest quote for a matching one was $8,000 *sigh*.

Not wanting to wait for trusses to be built, they laminated beams for rafters and installed the roof with 6 support columns. I can make do for now but hopefully one day I’ll be able to remove the roof (salvaging most of the materials) and install trusses. The goal would be (3) 12x14’ barn doors on the front and I’ll likely move the 12x12’ glass garage door to the south side of the building facing the helicopter pad.

Half of the property nearest the hangar is relatively flat while one acre slopes downhill with about 200’ of creek frontage at the bottom. With a little cleanup it will be a perfect area for a small deck or pavilion near the creek under the mature trees!

The property was sold shortly after the garage/shop was built and the owners attempted a small farming operation in 2020-2021. At one point there was 4 RV’s with 10-20 people living there along with 15-20 dogs, goats, sheep, and dozens of chickens and ducks. It’s been vacant for the past year but dumpsters will be arriving soon and the cleanup begins!

I love the looks of those doors... same one I wanted... but as they say, "500.00 hard on with 5.00 in my pocket" so, normal doors for me.

 

[wachuko]

While unable to do much around the property, I’ve entered a realm I’ve been trying to avoid for two years.

Building a scale architectural model.

It’s a slippery slope that always gets more complicated and more more detailed as you go!




The base is a scrap piece of 2 1/2” PolyISO cut to the exact size of the property lines—which will later be shaved to mimic the slope of the land.




The buildings are made using 1/8” foam. I have some styrene sheets of scale corrugated metal that I will put on the exterior and smooth sheets of styrene for the interior.



The most difficult part was deciding on a scale. I would have preferred 1/64th so Hotwheels or Matchbox cars could be used but that would put the base at over 4 feet wide. I don’t have THAT much real estate to give up! I finally settled on 1/87th because it’s the most common model railroad scale so materials are easier to source. I already had some HO scale sheets, shipping containers, and a Porsche 964 Turbo so it made sense.







1/87th vs. 1/64th (+36%) doesn’t sound like a huge difference until you put them next to each other!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hahahahahhaha many of us have been there!! I did the same thing!

 

[shortykorte]

Some how I missed the scale models.
I was doing the same out of card stock for the buildings and 1/8” thick cork sheets for every foot in elevation. I did several scale buildings but never contoured the cork for a finished model.

 

[power wagon]

by far my favorite place here