It is against this backdrop that the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Sierra Eagle Helicopter, Francis Tucker is calling on the government to support him with five thousand United States Dollars for the completion of a made-in-Sierra Leone helicopter project he started way back in 2007. The importance of completing this project, he adds, is not only the manufacturing part of it, but the talent development and display center they will be establishing for Sierra Leoneans.
He added that the inception of the project started way back in 1991 when he discovered that he has the talent to build a helicopter, citing that the delay in the completion of the project is as a result of lack of funds.
“The original amount for the completion of the project then was $15,000 which I could have completed before the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary had I had the funds. But we were unable to acquire funding” he lamented, adding that after completion the project will be able to attract tourists because it is a made-in-Africa helicopter using African components.
He said the unique feature of the project is that most of the components are from Sierra Leone and that he is using it to positively contribute to the development of technology in the country.
The project according to him is currently in restructuring phase, adding that they designed the helicopter at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) Congo Cross Campus with a single seat for the pilot only, noting that when he is able to achieve his dream the country will be able to produce many helicopters by itself.