Amazing BO-105 Aerobatic Flight Display

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the aerobatic capabilities of the BO-105 helicopter, highlighting its performance features such as inverted flight and rolling knife edges. Participants note the similarities between the BO-105 and the UH-72 (EC-145), which is being introduced to replace the OH-58. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rigid rotor systems for executing advanced maneuvers and discusses the engineering principles behind inverted flight, including the limitations of different rotor types.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of helicopter rotor systems, specifically rigid rotors
  • Knowledge of aerobatic flight maneuvers
  • Familiarity with helicopter flight dynamics and control
  • Basic principles of aerodynamics related to lift and angle of attack
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the engineering principles of rigid rotor systems in helicopters
  • Learn about the flight dynamics of inverted flight in helicopters
  • Explore the differences between teetering and rigid rotor systems
  • Investigate the performance characteristics of the UH-72 (EC-145) compared to the BO-105
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, helicopter pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in advanced helicopter flight dynamics and aerobatics.

FredGarvin
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Here is a video of a BO-105 getting put through its paces. I remember seeing the German Army every once in a while flying these. They are pretty cool little helicopters. This is pretty close to the UH-72 (EC-145) that we are in the process of replacing the OH-58 with. Rigid rotors are pretty sweet.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/flash/player.swf?file=aerobatics&autosta

There are a couple of notable moments I think. The first is when they put this inverted and do a downward spiral on the rotor. The other is what looks to be a sort of rolling knife edge. It definitely is a plus to have the camera angles from inside the cockpit at the same time. Enjoy!
 
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FredGarvin said:
Here is a video of a BO-105 getting put through its paces. I remember seeing the German Army every once in a while flying these. They are pretty cool little helicopters. This is pretty close to the UH-72 (EC-145) that we are in the process of replacing the OH-58 with. Rigid rotors are pretty sweet.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/flash/player.swf?file=aerobatics&autosta

There are a couple of notable moments I think. The first is when they put this inverted and do a downward spiral on the rotor. The other is what looks to be a sort of rolling knife edge. It definitely is a plus to have the camera angles from inside the cockpit at the same time. Enjoy!

Thanks Fred,
I needed to see that to help my mind confirm the thoughts, that a full sized machine is not as limited as most people think.
There have been too many videos that show models doing such crazy flight patterns that seem so impossible, yet they are real events, such flying has no appeal to me and only shows an incredible amount of skill and coordination in using remote controls.

Brings to mind a question, how many things can a humming bird do that an eagle can't ??

Ron
 
Wow! I would not want to be on a ride-along for that! Urp!
 
turbo-1 said:
Wow! I would not want to be on a ride-along for that! Urp!
Sounds interesting. I'll have to check it from home (streaming videos are blocked at my work).

FredGarvin, I saw this the other day and it reminded me of your avatar. I hope that you like it. :smile:
http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2010/1/14/633990422268865910-murphyslaw222themarkofatrulsuperiorpilotistheuseofhissuperiorjudgementtoavoidsituationsrequiringuseofhissuperiorskills.jpg" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Borg said:
FredGarvin, I saw this the other day and it reminded me of your avatar. I hope that you like it. :smile:
I have seen that in a bit different wording. I think I like that one better. Thanks!
 
RonL said:
Thanks Fred,
I needed to see that to help my mind confirm the thoughts, that a full sized machine is not as limited as most people think.
There have been too many videos that show models doing such crazy flight patterns that seem so impossible, yet they are real events, such flying has no appeal to me and only shows an incredible amount of skill and coordination in using remote controls.
While I don't like the RC guys I will admit that some of the stuff they do is plausible. Not all of it. Inverted hovers for example. I don't doubt their abilities to do it, but I am a scale purist so I don't like seeing the silly stuff. The number of aircraft out there with rigid rotor heads and the performance to do those moves are very few.
 
Isn't there still a danger of losing control during these kinds of low-g maneuvers? The pilot must be compensating for the roll caused by the tail rotor as the rotor disc becomes unloaded.
 
I'm not sure as to the degree that the unloading happens. I am sure you have to ease up or even opposite pedal when these moves happen but to what degree I have no idea. I would also assume that momentum helps carry you through the maneuver to a point where the loading resumes.

It is for that very reason why I was impressed with the "rolling knife edge" he was doing. Granted, he had to be falling to do it, but there was obviously plenty of pedal to keep that aircraft yawing while in a 90° bank.
 
FredGarvin said:
Here is a video of a BO-105 getting put through its paces. I remember seeing the German Army every once in a while flying these. They are pretty cool little helicopters. This is pretty close to the UH-72 (EC-145) that we are in the process of replacing the OH-58 with. Rigid rotors are pretty sweet.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/flash/player.swf?file=aerobatics&autosta

There are a couple of notable moments I think. The first is when they put this inverted and do a downward spiral on the rotor. The other is what looks to be a sort of rolling knife edge. It definitely is a plus to have the camera angles from inside the cockpit at the same time. Enjoy!
Pretty amazing stuff! :cool: :-p And seemingly unnatural. :bugeye:
 
  • #10
FredGarvin said:
Here is a video of a BO-105 getting put through its paces. I remember seeing the German Army every once in a while flying these. They are pretty cool little helicopters. This is pretty close to the UH-72 (EC-145) that we are in the process of replacing the OH-58 with. Rigid rotors are pretty sweet.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/flash/player.swf?file=aerobatics&autosta

There are a couple of notable moments I think. The first is when they put this inverted and do a downward spiral on the rotor. The other is what looks to be a sort of rolling knife edge. It definitely is a plus to have the camera angles from inside the cockpit at the same time. Enjoy!

it's amazing,the pilot might be the most experienced one, he's a fearless man,thanks fred .
 
  • #11
So, everything I was told in the "Blue Thunder" was a lie.

Another reason to not trust people who one day pretend to be a afraid of water and other day pretend to know how to fly a helicopter.
 
  • #12
Borek said:
So, everything I was told in the "Blue Thunder" was a lie.

Another reason to not trust people who one day pretend to be a afraid of water and other day pretend to know how to fly a helicopter.
Roy Schneider was the man. I have "whisper mode" for my truck. It works great.
 
  • #13
Finally watched it from home. Nice! :cool:
 
  • #15
Thanks Fred, that was awesome.

I didn't know inverted flight was possible? I know the basics of helicopter theory, I am currently doing a project on helicopter rotors and did my dissertation on human powered helicopters, but havn't really looked into flight limitations. How does inverted flying work from an engineering point of view? Does it only work with a certain type of aerofoil, or can the angle of attack of the rotors be set to a position where they will produce a positive lift from an inverted position?

Sorry if this question is a bit basic, I am still becoming familiar with the subject.

Marty
 
  • #16
I think the biggest limitation is the rotor system. Helicopters with teetering rotors can experience catastrophic failure under low-g conditions (mast or tail bumping).
 
  • #17
Like I mentioned in the original post, it is all possible with a rigid rotor. The only drawback is that all of those bending moments get directly tranferred to the rotor hub.