Safari History

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he SAFARI has evolved by designing, testing, modifying, and refining since 1962. The origin is the single seat Helicom, designed in 1953 and built by the capable hands of aerospace engineer, Harold "Pop" Emigh and his son. This model was successfully built and flown by many homebuilders. Many of these helicopters are still flying through support and parts manufactured by Canadian Home Rotors Inc. Later, recognizing the need for a two place helicopter, Pop altered the design to accept a 150 HP Lycoming engine. Many of these were produced during the early seventies.  

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r. Emigh sold the rights and manufacturing jigs in 1970 to a new company, International Helicopters of Mayville, New York. They continued the evolution of the design naming it the Commuter II A & B. It was basically the same sturdy airframe and drive  components but with a beautiful new streamlined cabin. Quite a few of these were also produced.  It was in 1979 that CHR got its start, when company President Murray Sweet bought his first kit along with the Canadian rights to market the design. After completion of his Commuter IIB and successful flight tests, Murray began making modifications in an effort to save weight, lessen maintenance and increase safety and dependability. 

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hortly after, International Helicopters sold out to Tamarind International, which went out of business about 14 months later without making a single complete kit. Past customers of International Helicopters needed parts and asked Murray to make them.

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his was the start of the long process of designing, engineering, and developing the details of manufacturing the components. Murray had a head start in this field as it is in his line of work, but it was still a long and expensive task.  As the manufacturing process for each part was worked out and tested, he began selling parts to other builders. New partners, investors, and employees joined in the project along the way, with CHR incorporating in 1986.

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n 1992, at the E.A.A. National Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the Safari made its debut. Although CHR had never advertised prior to July of 1992, the company has built a large clientele just by word of mouth. The quality of the product has improved due to computerized equipment and technological advances. The company continues to strive to build the safest and most dependable helicopter possible.