BY DENISE WILLIAMS
Staff Writer

PIGEON FORGE — What do Leonardo DaVinci and the television show “Airwolf” have in common?

It might not seem like much on the surface, but somehow they both involve helicopters.

In 1480, DaVinci designed an airship he called the Helical Air Screw, which involved a round platform and linen “wings.”

“I have discovered that a screw-shaped device such as this, if it is wellmade from starched linen, will rise in the air if turned quickly…,” DaVinci said of his design.

According to Dan Halson, owner of Halsons Helicopter Museum in Pigeon Forge, DaVinci’s gizmo should fly in theory, but that it would lack control.

Looking at a half-size model of this contraption, it seemed to be missing a few parts I consider absolutely vital if I’m to travel more than two feet above the ground—seats, brakes, a sissy bar to hold on to and barf bags.

It’s still pretty cool to remember that DaVinci devised a potentially working airship even though he’d never seen anything fly that was bigger than a bird. Plus there was the additional problem that in the 15th century, technology hadn’t advanced enough to even build a working prototype.

As for “Airwolf,” that 1980s television show starring Jan Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine and, their most popular partner, a Bell 222 helicopter, the museum has a full-size replica of this aircraft hanging above one of the museum’s two 100-foot-long wings.

Halson explained that the craft was constructed from a non-function helicopter and required the side panels and nose to be fabricated from scratch.

One of the most interesting exhibits to me is the one dedicated to the “future we thought it was going to be.”

For me, that future included flying cars. After all, we already have so many other devices made popular in old television shows and movies.

What happened to my flying car?

It’s hanging out at Helicopter Headquarters, that’s where.
The Sky Commuter Hovercraft, as it is called, is located on the museum’s mezzanine level. It is sole survivor of 10 prototypes built by Flight Innovations in Seattle.

Halson explained that, like DaVinci’s Air Screw, in theory the hovercraft should fly. But because of a design flaw, it probably wouldn’t be easy to control.

When you’re whisking around dozens or hundreds of feet above the ground, control is such an important thing.

Back to the drawing board for my flying car, I guess.
Actually the entire history of helicopters is one of head-scratching and returns to the drawing board.

There’s even an exhibit dedicated to “Fantastic Failures,” featuring a few ideas that should have remained as ideas.
I got quite a chuckle reading about blacksmith A.E. Hunt who built a rotary aeroplane from pipe and angle iron and fitted it with a rotor.

According to my guide, Dick Fortenbery, the design of Hunt’s contraption would have allowed it to lift up to 400 pounds. Unfortunately for the erstwhile innovator, his baby weighed in at a whopping three tons.

Fortenbery, who flew helicopters during the Vietnam War, understands the aerodynamics of why Hunt’s design failed. Of course, for physics-challenged people like myself, all I care about is “will it fly?” and “will I get back to Earth in one piece?”
I leave the whys and hows to the experts.

Fortenbery told me that “helicopters are an exceptionally safe mode of transportation” and that a single-engine helicopter is safer than a single-engine airplane.

Halson agreed, saying that although they’ve gotten a bad rap, helicopters have saved more lives than they have taken.
When it comes to helicopters, Halson knows what he is  talking about.

His family has operated Scenic Helicopter Tours since 1983, offering aerial tours over and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“It’s really the best way to see a certain area,” he said.
Twelve years ago, Halson’s father, Hal, came up with the idea of a helicopter museum.

“I didn’t think it would work,” he said.

The senior Halson died six years ago and his son revisited the idea.

Since then, the concept has taken off and has already grown beyond its original concepts.

The museum includes interactive exhibits designed to show people the skills needed to hover a helicopter.

Visitors can even try their hand at flying a helicopter in one of the museum’s three Cybercopter simulators. The simulators offer folks the option to free flight through a virtual landscape or engage in a dogfight against family members. They can even team up both Cybercopters and fight a mutual opponent.
How cool is that?

There was one area I didn’t see during my visit that I plan to rectify on my next trip—the Fun Flyin Fotos DVD Adventure.
You climb aboard a helicopter placed strategically in front of a green screen and film your own high-flying adventure. Best of all, your zany antics are recorded for you so you can enjoy the DVD adventure (and embarrass your kids) in the privacy of your own home.

I can’t wait to lasso my grandson, Joe, for that fun flight.
Although the museum has yet to hold its official opening,  the word is getting out.

As much fun as this museum is now, it’s bound to get even better. Halson said he has plans for the addition of a 35- to 40-seat IMAX-style theater. The “Fly  Tennessee” movies will last 35-40 minutes and feature Tennessee’s major cities—Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Tri-Cities and the Smokies.
Not allowing any inch to go to waste, the Helicopter Museum folks even plan to take advantage of the huge expanse on the back side of the building.

During the summer months, they plan to hold a “drive-in” style movie event on Thursday evenings after dark. Movie sounds will be beamed into cars using a FM transmitter.

What kind of movies will they be?

“They’ll all have a helicopter in them,” hinted Rich Benjamin, museum public relations manager.

There will be a big party on May 19 for the official grand opening of the museum, Halson said.

The event will include music, a kids’ show featuring Dr. Copter and the initial induction into the Helicopter Hall of Fame.

The first military inductee will be Tammy Duckworth, who flew a Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq and was severely injured. Her crew will also be honored.

The civilian honoree will be the late Hal Halson for his lifetime achievement.

Rounding up the inductees will be the Bell 47 helicopter, the first civilian helicopter.

Whether you want to try your hand at the controls, or have your picture taken in front of a Huey helicopter on the building’s roof, there’s bound to be something there to catch your eye.

Just keep your paws off my flying car.

GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 40 to Exit 407 toward Pigeon Forge. Follow Highway 66 South,which turns into U.S. Highway 411. Helicopter Headquarters is located at traffic light #2B on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

WHEN TO GO: Helicopter Headquarters is open year round except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ADMISSION: Helicopter Headquarters offers two packages, depending on how much fun you plan to have on your visit.
The Explorer package is $19.80 per person plus tax. It includes museum admission and a choice of a Fun Flyin’ DVD of you flying over the Smokies.
The Adventurer package costs $27 per person plus tax. It includes the above plus a trip in one of the museum’s three Cybercopter Simulators.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Labor Day to Memorial Day and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day.

INFORMATION: Phone: (865) 429-2929.

On the Net: Halsons Helicopter Museum