Mbb BO-105
The MBB Bo105 was one of the first light helicopters fitted with a rigid rotor system, giving it exceptional agility and the ability to perform aerobatic manoeuvres few other helicopters of its era could safely attempt. That agility, combined with its twin-engine safety margin, made it a favourite for German and other European police, air ambulance, and mountain rescue services for decades. Militarised versions were built as light anti-tank and reconnaissance helicopters for several NATO air forces. Though production ended years ago, many Bo105s remain in daily emergency service across Europe today.
_in_the_Pacific_Ocean_June_23,_2014_140623-N-YW024-059.jpg){kind=link}
Did you know?
The Bo105 was one of the first light helicopters with a rigid rotor system, giving it aerobatic agility few rivals of its era could match.
Specifications
| Length | 8.6 m (28 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 9.8 m (32 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 4 |
| Persons on board | 5 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 2.5 t |
| Range | 407 NM (754 km) |
| Maximum speed | 145 kt (269 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 17,000 ft (5,182 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,575 ft/min (8 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 320 l |
| Engines | 2x Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20B |
| Units built | 1,640 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Mbb BO-105 starts as a Rare catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Mbb, the BO-105 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
Catch it yourself.CatchFlights shows the aircraft flying near you on a radar, so a type like this one is only a catch away when it passes overhead. Explore CatchFlights.
Browse all aircraft types, or learn to tell Airbus from Boeing.