|
|
|
Digiman (m)
|
That home-built craft will require a lot of testing, before it's allowed to take to the skies. Testing an aircraft is very, very expensive, and this brings us back to the crux of this debate - financial support.
This is our main probblem, Nigerian government, agencies and entreprenuers are not interested in such things, anyone making or showing initiative to them is nothing. If this chap and others like him were in a country which has vision they would get all the support they need. See what happened to the German engineers who designed the Hitlers rockets after the war who benefited the most from their knowledge ? I know of a lot of talented Nigerians who have left the shores of Nigeria to make scientici/technical contributions to other nations because they are not acknowledged and encouraged back home. This is not the first time a Nigerian has built an aircraft, I remember in the 70's a guy did similar, I also remember there was this guy who built a radio receiver and transmitter using stuff locally available where are they today ? Look at China , Japan and Korea how did they start ?, where are they now ? they invested in their industries, encouraged their people , they would copy anything from the west and keep doing it till they got better at it, now there is hardly anywhere you go in the world where you will not find goods made in China, Japan or Korea. Crude oil has made nigeria blind, what will happen when it runs out ? maybe we will call in the Indians and Chinese to teach us how to start cultivating Cocoa, groundnuts, cotton and the rest again  ., If this guy and others like him get the support they require it will be to the beneift of the whole nation, imagine if he did get support we could end up selling aircraft and providing training to other african nations who will be willing to purchase because it will be cheaper. We have a lot of talented people both in Nigeria and Abroad in every field you can think of, it's just a shame Nigeria does not realise what it has hence the reason why Andrew is ever willing to "Check out" at the nearest opportunity, you can't be patriotic on an empty stomach  . |
|
|
|
|
|
I-man (m)
|
I don't know what all the fuss is about.Has this man done anything out of the ordinary?The answer is no.There are thousands of even more efficient makeshift aircrafts built regularly around the world by all sorts of people including high school students.For God's sake,anyone who has ever watched the Discovery Channel will know this.
Does every such aircraft lead to calls for state aid?Definitely not.If an aircraft is groundbreaking,it will attract private investment.The overwhelming majority of technological innovations in developed coutries are private sector funded.
There is a more general case to be made about the appalling inefficiency of govt policy in respect of science and technology-lack of funding and lack of any comprehensive strategy.However,this does not justify the handwringing and emotive calls for state support every time someone,be it Izuogu or this current case-comes up with something which is hardly groundbreaking within its particular field.
|
|
|
|
|
|
debosky (m)
|
'hardly ground breaking' is a matter of opinion and perspective I-man
For someone bereft of the usual support and facilities available to such people elsewhere, the mere fact that he was able to use his meager resources to build a working prototype is commendable.
any 'ground-breaking' discovery by your standards can only come from the labs at Boeing, Bombardier or Airbus and the like, because they are the ones in possession of the latest/ cutting edge technology and understanding of all the dynamics of the field to achieve such. His work may not be a 'new invention' but it is commendable all the same.
For a government who imports almost everything without some notion of local development, this serves as yet another pointer to the sorry state of research and development in the country. It does justify the hand wringing - it is another example of budding potentials that we are letting waste.
They don't necessarily need to take up his idea, but is it even going to be evaluated or looked at? Will his ingenuity ever be recognised and put to good use? This is not only about 'private sector' development, even Boeing and Airbus receive huge subsidies from the US and EU respectively to support their activities, such is completely absent in Nigeria.
The space shuttle and other space vehicles are developed wholly at government expenseother examples abound.
The issue is not really the helicopter in itself, it is the indication of creative talent and skill that the government has failed to, and is still failing to recognise or utilise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I-man (m)
|
'hardly ground breaking' is a matter of opinion and perspective I-man
For someone bereft of the usual support and facilities available to such people elsewhere, the mere fact that he was able to use his meager resources to build a working prototype is commendable. Apparently,according to Seun,the aircraft's maximum flying height is 7 feet.This would mean it hovers at just around the height of the average human being.Is building an aircraft which flys at a maximum of 7 feet commendable?Yes.Is it "ground breaking"?Obviously not.I have seen better aircrafts built by people in their late teens with relatively similar meagre resources. any 'ground-breaking' discovery by your standards can only come from the labs at Boeing, Bombardier or Airbus and the like, because they are the ones in possession of the latest/ cutting edge technology and understanding of all the dynamics of the field to achieve such. His work may not be a 'new invention' but it is commendable all the same. Ground breaking discoveries have been known to come from mere individuals,indeed,most do.The point is not whether this is a "world class" innovation,but the utility or comparative value of the product.Compared to his peers.not Boeing or Airbus,his work has been bettered by mere high school students,hardly operating in labs using cutting edge technology.I won't be surprised that the neccesary information on how to build an aircraft can be found on the internet! For a government who imports almost everything without some notion of local development, this serves as yet another pointer to the sorry state of research and development in the country. It does justify the hand wringing - it is another example of budding potentials that we are letting waste.
We have a comparative advantage in importing manufactured products and selling raw commodities.Viable Research and development can't be achieved by govt fiat.Most R & D is done by the private sector.The call for Govt led solutions to these issues is misguided. They don't necessarily need to take up his idea, but is it even going to be evaluated or looked at? Will his ingenuity ever be recognised and put to good use? This is not only about 'private sector' development, even Boeing and Airbus receive huge subsidies from the US and EU respectively to support their activities, such is completely absent in Nigeria. Apparently it was evaluated and not surprisingly,nothing concrete came out of it.Boeing and Airbus receive state 'subsidies' for a wide variety of reasons.However,to the extent that one can claim they do,such 'subsidies' are relatively puny compared to the bulk of the source of funding for their R & D.Again,I stress,most technological innovations are private sector led,pointing to exceptions hardly detracts from the overall trend At the end of the day,what do you suggest the govt should do in this case?In my opinion,its not noteworthy enough to neccesitate state intervention,the "experts" came to a similar conclusion in this case from what I have read. Should the govt improve its policies in the area of science and technology?Yes,all sectors of the country have been shortchanged by the Govt in any case.How this purpotedly "7 feet maximum flying height" helicopter has any significant bearing to the larger issue beats my imagination |
|
|
|
|
|
nazzyon (m)
|
Just commend the guy for making attempt.
If he does get the necessary supports and then part with the right procedure and principles to apply, the project will go farther than it did at first attempt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
denex
|
I-man please help me tell them. I don't know why Nigerians have a one track mind. Everything, it's Government.
The man Opa Williams who started the Night Of A Thousand Laughs, he never recieved any encouragement from Government, but he has created enormous income for young individuals all over the country and a lot of associated industries in entertainment have enjoyed great earnings from his innovation. No Government encouragement.
Some young lads once went to Pfizer to beg for a lab with which they wanted to develope a drug that would treat Low Blood Pressure. When they were at the test stage of the drug and were administering it to male subjects, they noticed that about 95% of the subjects had an erection which lasted for hours. Welcome the birth of VIAGRA, one of the highest and fastest selling drugs in history. So where is the Government support and encouragement?
Well, I said it earlier that I was working on my own thing. I'm developing a new satellite pay-per-view TV system we've just past the drawing board and are putting equipment and developing the software, but already, the draft proposals to hiTV, Silverbird and DISC Communications have already been prepared so that when we conclude the test phase and everything is running perfectly, we can then send out our proposals and work with the highest bidder to take our invention as final product to the consumers. It has never occurred to me a single day to contact Government and seek encouragement. Never.
It has never even occurred to me to contact NTA because considering their budget limitations and bureaucracy, it'll take forever.
So I really don't know how people keep holding on to this mentality of Government, Government, Government. Please you guys should get real.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Digiman (m)
|
I-man please help me tell them. I don't know why Nigerians have a one track mind. Everything, it's Government.
It does not always have to be the government, companies and individuals should be able to assist financially or with technical input. This chap has not "invented" a helicopter but rather he has built one using locally available materials, now to make it even better he will need a better engine, light weight materials for the frame as well as a proper control system. @denex you have been able to progress with your project because you have the finances, hardware and software you require, this chap on the other hand will need a lot more resources which I do not believe are readily available in Nigeria , for instance a firber glass body , aluminum frame and light weight seats would have enabled it to achieve higher altitues. When this chap reaches the limit of what he can do with the resources at his disposal he will have to give up if he does not receive support both technical and financial. Personally I believe that to progress the chap has to start thinking like a business man and get a working prototype then approach potential partners / investors and convince them that he has a viable money making machine. |
|
|
|
|
|
slimes (m)
|
His initiative is realistic since he has passed his experiment through trials and errors. I think he would go very far with this project he has undertaken only with the help of the Government.
|
|
|
|
|
|
auwal87
|
It Never happens in Nigeria wooooo, It happens in the United Hausa Emirates. Since the Igbos and the Yorubas are not appreciated with what the Hausa man does, then let it be for the UHE not Naija. While you are here on Nairaland busy bashing his Job, he is there enjoying good comments from All Over the WORLD not NIGERIA, What I heard is he is leaving Nigeria to the UK shortly (FOR MORE TECH EDU ON AEROSPACE ENGINEERING) Watchout for the NUCLEAR PLANT IN KANO (NOT BOMB), For Car, we already have NTM here in Kano, so remaining planes, Go Go Go, Kano, Go Go Go UHE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
folahann (m)
|
I don't think this should be tribalistic, the world knows it happened in NIgeria.
Kudos to him and i pray he gets support
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mustay (m)
|
I don't think this should be tribalistic, the world knows it happened in NIgeria.
Kudos to him and i pray he gets support
I DON'T UNDERSTAND O! nIGERIANS SEEM TO BE VEY GOOD AT THE ART OF CONDEMNING THAN COMMDING. THEY LIKE SEEING THE -VE S PASS +VES  |
|
|
|
|
|
Horus (m)
|
 Mubarak Muhammad Abdullahi“You start it, allow it to run for a minute or two and you then shift the accelerator forward and the propeller on top begins to spin. The further you shift the accelerator the faster it goes and once you reach 300 rmp you press the joystick and it takes off,” Abdullahi explained from the cockpit. The chopper , measuring 12 metres (39 feet) long, seven metres high and five metres wide is considered a big for a four seater aircraft . It has never attained an altitude of more than seven feet. As he filled the radiator of the banana yellow helicopter which he parks in the grounds of the BUK, Abdullahi said Nigerians were yet to see his best. He is almost completing work on a smaller helicopter-a two-seater- which he disclosed, is radically different from the first in terms of ‘sophistication and aesthetics.’ Currently just a spindly metal frame in the back yard, the new helicopter will be able to fly at an altitude of 15 feet for three hours at a stretch. It will be powered by a brand new motor engine. Abdullahi, who also repairs computers and mobile phones, learned the rudiments of flying a helicopter from the Internet and first got the idea of building one from action films. The undergraduate whose father teaches at the BUK, hopes and still does hope that Nigerian would one day stop importation of aircraft. But this,according to him, can only be possible if the Federal Government and wealthy Nigerians come to his aid.(New article below) Source: http://odili.net/news/source/2007/oct/23/414.html |
|
|
|
|
|
shamass77 (m)
|
yuuuppe all its good 4 all!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
software (m)
|
i personally, support anything made in Nigeria, but for helicopter oooooo, i think i will gladly want to be the last person to enter for a ride, God bless naija We shall get there somedays  |
|
|
|
|
|
willy*2
|
i personally, support anything made in Nigeria, but for helicopter oooooo i think i will gladly want to be the last person to enter for a ride,
I support him too, Is time Hausa/Fulani people should start to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria advancement, and stop their well known notorious bad behaviour of Stealing Nigeria fund. They don't have to be a tribe born only to Embezzle/Loot public Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
nazzyon (m)
|
I see no reason why we should be tribalistic about this issue.
If you keep saying some tribes are robbing you off; believe me you are never going to move forward in life.
"If you complain that tribe A is cheating on you. Don't forget that tribe B is also encouraging and C should not be left out."
We already know that most of the people doing this jobs, but the problems arising nowadays is quite disturbing. Some youth are now joining the same league as the people we are complaining about. They tend to following the saying which goes thus, "If you can't beat them, join them".
We have to figure out a way to resolve this problem ourselves and not join them. Though it is known that, "Good things progresses slowly".
I personally do know that I how I was brought up, but I fashioned a way out to solve my problems to change the way people will be looking @ the future generations of my family.
My advice is we should refrain from that topic for now. We can do good by discussing topic above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Odogiyon (m)
|
the world steps aside for a man who know where he's going some will stand criticising while other are really moving ahead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
bigbee (m)
|
lets give credit to whom its due.even the wright brothers here in our country america didnt just build a perfect aircraft. their project underwent a lot of metamorphosis to get to their perfect 10. i think the dude is doing his best and we should give him kudos for that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
folahann (m)
|
Some people can't even stick two papers togerther yet, they post discriminating comments
|
|
|
|
|
|
sniy02
|
Wether Jihad, or Sharia helicopter you call it, you should think twice. If one go back to the history on how the first plane came into reality, will understand that that mallam has tried! Mallam has produce something for naija! What are we doing for the Naija. For me I will soon start a clinical trail on NAIRGRA, a potent in vitro sexual ehancement drug, to chase away OYIMBO capsules and tablets off Naijas` pharmacies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
naijaborn (m)
|
I see no reason why we should be tribalistic about this issue.
If you keep saying some tribes are robbing you off; believe me you are never going to move forward in life.
"If you complain that tribe A is cheating on you. Don't forget that tribe B is also encouraging and C should not be left out."
We already know that most of the people doing this jobs, but the problems arising nowadays is quite disturbing. Some youth are now joining the same league as the people we are complaining about. They tend to following the saying which goes thus, "If you can't beat them, join them".
We have to figure out a way to resolve this problem ourselves and not join them. Though it is known that, "Good things progresses slowly".
I personally do know that I how I was brought up, but I fashioned a way out to solve my problems to change the way people will be looking @ the future generations of my family.
My advice is we should refrain from that topic for now. We can do good by discussing topic above.
well said man! yu'll shuld adhere to this nd stop badmouthing naija's progress |
|
|
|
|
|
ozoneflake (m)
|
Can it fly? if it does let him try it then we follow him and fly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FemiATL
|
Darn it! You beat me to it. So naija people dey think like this.
I wanted to start my own Sexual Enhancement drug too.
Fastest growing scam in Yankee. Small time oyinbo go say Nigerians are fraudulent.
Oh boy when you go start? I don buy land already oh for Kano, ok Sokoto close to buran taashi trees.
I beg leave the Kano Man alone oh make e no vex make Katyusha rocket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
frag (m)
|
This is well interesting and i strongly feel this guy should be support just like everybody else with similar creative innovations.But unfortunately this is unlikely to happen,instead our stupid leader would prefer to buy nonreparable ones from the so called developed world.At this rate,there is nothing Africa can do to prevent recolonisation.We are just a doomed country in a doomed continent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FlyinNaija
|
Nigeria is not a developed country because most nigerians don't have a developed mindset. Virgin Nigeria recently ordered 24 aircraft from a brazilian company Embraer. Brazil is a third world country yet it is the leading manufacturer of regional jets in the world. Their biggest customers are in Europe and America.
All the major aerospace companies will not be where they are now if not for government intervention. Airbus recieves a lot of funding and support from various EU govts. Government funding and support is paramount in aerospace development. Boeing relies heavily on govt-funded NASA research. Just for your information, the following third world countries make aircraft: Brazil, china, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, India, South Africas,etc. So why can't Nigeria design aircraft? Because Nigerians are not development minded as is evident from a large % of posts on the threads.
5 years from now many posters on this thread will jumps in a boeing or airbus designed by Mubarak and marvel at oyinbo wizardry, if only they new. I am a pilot and am very conversant with the history and mechanics of aircraft design. I have to say that Mr Mubark has achieved a great technical feat, and doesnt need your support because at the moment he's probably having a difficult time choosing which of the major aircraft designers to work for. Onename to watch out for in the future
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Nairaland [Nigerian Forum] Home](http://www.nairaland.com/Themes/default/images/english/home.gif)
Author
