Bölkow Bo 103

The Bölkow Bo 103 was a small experimental helicopter flown in Germany in 1961 to research new rotor systems. While the mechanics of the aircraft were based on the Bo 102 captive training rig, the Bo 103 was capable of fully independent flight. In configuration, it was absolutely minimalist - consisting of nothing more than a tubular frame to which the dynamic components and the pilots seat were attached, although a small fibreglass cabin was eventually attached. The aircraft retained the Bo 102's single-rotor of Glass-reinforced plastic, and proved that this was suitable for true flight. The prototype is preserved at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg.

A flying version of the Bo.102, this was a larger single-seat version. Powered by an Agusta GA V, four-cylinder, double-piston engine, it first flew on 14 September 1961. The helicopter still used the Boelkow single, counterbalanced fibreglass rotor blade. It proved to be very stable, even allowing the test pilot, Werner Kurze, to perform several seconds of 'hands-off flight. Although never reaching the production phase, the Bo.102 and Bo.103 were important in the early development of the rigid rotor and composite blades used today.

Single-seat helicopter built in 1959 with a simple steel tube fuselage, a cockpit with transparent canopy open at the sides and a two-blade reinforced fiberglass rotor. 

Technical data for Bo-103

Crew: 1, engine: 1 x ILO rated at 37kW, main rotor diameter: 6.57m, take-off weight: 400kg, empty weight: 268kg, max speed: 140km/h, cruising speed: 114km/h, range: 450km

 

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Bölkow Bo 102

The Bölkow Bo 102 Helitrainer was an unusual ground-based helicopter training aid that was developed and built by Bölkow of Germany in the late-1950s. Designed to be mounted on a swivelling captive rig the Bo 102 allowed trainee pilots to practise procedures such as engine starting, rotor engagement and manipulation of the flight controls. Many of the Bo 102's components, including the single-bladed fibre-glass main rotor were used in the company's next design, the Bo 103.

Rolled out in 1959, this Helicopter Trainer was powered by a 40hp ILO piston engine and had a twenty-one foot counterbalanced fibreglass rotor blade. In all eighteen of these HeliTrainers were built operating throughout Europe, training military helicopter pilots. Although unable to fly, they were ideal for the teaching of hovering techniques and were replaced by dual trainer helicopters.

The Bo-102 Helitrainer, powered by a 40hp Hirth engine driving a simple one-bladed rotor with a counterweight, was developed in land and water based versions, both of which were semi-captive. This feature allowed the helicopter to rise to a height of 0.6m, turn around a vertical axis and dip at up to 6° but prevented it from flying outside these limits. 

Technical data for Bo-102

Engine: 1 x Hirth rated at 30 kW, main rotor diameter: 6.58m, length: 5.68m, take-off weight without a platform: 325kg

  

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