Amazing BO-105 Aerobatic Flight Display

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the capabilities and performance of the BO-105 helicopter, particularly in relation to aerobatic maneuvers. Participants share videos and personal experiences, exploring the technical aspects of helicopter flight, including inverted flight and low-g maneuvers. The conversation touches on both theoretical and practical considerations in helicopter design and operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for the BO-105's aerobatic capabilities, noting specific maneuvers such as inverted flight and rolling knife edges.
  • Others question the safety and control challenges associated with low-g maneuvers, particularly regarding tail rotor compensation.
  • There is a discussion about the limitations of helicopter rotor systems, with some suggesting that rigid rotors allow for more extreme maneuvers compared to teetering rotors.
  • One participant reflects on the difference between full-sized helicopters and model helicopters, emphasizing a preference for scale flying over extreme maneuvers.
  • A participant raises a question about the engineering behind inverted flight, seeking clarification on the necessary rotor design and angle of attack.
  • Some participants share humorous or light-hearted comments about their reactions to the video and the perceived risks of such flying.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the impressive nature of the BO-105's aerobatic capabilities, but there are multiple competing views regarding the safety and feasibility of certain maneuvers. The discussion remains unresolved on specific technical aspects of inverted flight and the implications of rotor design.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with helicopter aerodynamics, which may affect the depth of technical discussion. Some claims about rotor performance and safety are not fully substantiated within the thread.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in helicopter design, aerodynamics, and aerobatic flight may find this discussion insightful, particularly those studying or working in aviation engineering.

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.