Country of origin:

Germany

Description:

Light multi-purpose utility helicopter

Power Plant:

Two 313 kw (420 shp) Allison 250-C28B turboshafts

Specifications:

History:

The BO-105 was one of the first light, twin-engine turbine powered helicopters built, using an advanced rotor developed with the assistance of Aerospatiale, with fibreglass blades attached to a flexible hub of forged titanium. It was built by a consortium of Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm at Munich in Germany, and has also been licence produced by Nurtano Aircraft Industries in Indonesia, PADC in the Philippines, and in Canada. In Spain aircraft have been assembled by CASA from parts supplied from the German production line.

Design work began in 1962, and the prototype was first flown on 16 February 1967 but was destroyed during ground testing. MTU Munchen Turbo 6022 engines were tested on the third development aircraft, but it was decided to install the Allison 250 in production machines. Type certification was received in October 1970, and over 1,400 have been built in a variety of models. It has been supplied to both civil and military operators.

Variants included the BO-105 CB and CBS with the 313 kw (420 shp) Allison 250-C20B; the BO-105M for liaison and observation duties; the BO-105P anti-tank model with HOT and TOW missiles, these latter having up-rated transmissions; the BO-105L with the 410 kw (550 shp) Allison 250-C28C engines and designed for hot climates and high altitudes; and the BO-105L5 with similar engines. The BO-105 LSA-3 is a hot and high version built in Canada by Eurocopter Canada; and the BO-105 LSA-3 Super Lifter was developed as an aerial crane with a 2,850-kg (6,283-lb) max take-off weight. In 1993 the BO-105EC Super Five was certificated with new main rotor blades.

The BO-105 series seated five or six and has been very successful on the world market, many having been supplied to television stations, or being used for police work in Europe. Some problems arose in relation to the Australian certification of the type and, although orders were announced from time to time for Australian operators, it was not until April 1985 that the first machine (D-HDSU) arrived, this being operated for a period as a demonstrator.

First operator was the defunct National Safety Council of Australia which obtained a BO-105D (VH-LSA – c/n S135), which was trialled for several months at its Albion Park, NSW and Sale, VIC bases. It later obtained BO-105CBS VH-NSL (c/n S0625). One BO-105D (VH-HRM – c/S-060) was operated by Westpac Rescue in Sydney, later becoming VH-LCS. Other operators have included Capital Helicopters in Wellington, New Zealand.

Aircraft registered in New Zealand include: ZK-HYC (c/n S.56), a BO.105CS, which operated from 1986 but ditched into Porirua Harbour in 1988; ZK-HPB, (c/n S.592), a Model CBS-4, which operated for some months in 1989 with Life Trust of Wellington before being exported; and ZK-HSJ (c/n S.656) built as a BO.105S which was later converted to Model DBS-4 configuration. It operated with Northland Emergency Services from 2003 to 2006. ZK-HYT (c/n 5824 – ex JA-9997, D-HFCH) was a model CBS-4 and was imported from Japan. In recent years further examples have been obtained and imported to New Zealand.

An example became VH-MBB (c/n 923) for Queensland Surf Life Saving in February 2012; and further examples have been imported in recent years, including ZK-IAI (c/n S-841 – ex N6607K) and ZK-IAJ (c/n S-851 – ex N851PH), registered in September 2012.

Conceived as a two-tonne-class light multi-purpose helicopter powered by two Allison 250 turboshafts, the BO-105 became the first helicopter to feature a rigid hingeless rotor-head constructed from titanium with fibreglass reinforced rotor blades. Since the delivery of the first machine in 1970, more than 1,400 examples have been delivered to 300 customers around the world, roles including search and rescue, police, para-military, VIP, passenger and cargo transportation, building up eight-million flight hours. Major operator was the German Armed Forces which received 200, and about 400 were still in service around the world in 2017. The type became known for its versatility, robustness and reliability.