Bo 105
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) · Light utility helicopter · West Germany · Cold War (1970–1991)
The Bölkow Bo 105 (later MBB Bo 105, Eurocopter Bo 105) was a German twin-engine light utility helicopter — the world's first helicopter with a hingeless main-rotor system + the first light helicopter capable of aerobatics including loops + rolls. Ludwig Bölkow designed the Bo 105 at Bölkow Entwicklungen KG; the prototype first flew on 16 February 1967. About 1,406 Bo 105s were built between 1970 and 2001 at MBB / Eurocopter Donauwörth + Indonesian IPTN + Spanish CASA. The aircraft served military + civil + EMS operators worldwide through 2026.
The Bo 105 used two Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engines (420 shp each). Maximum speed 270 km/h, range 575 km, service ceiling 5,180 m. Capacity: 4-5 passengers + 1-2 crew, or 1,200 kg external sling load. The aircraft's hingeless main-rotor system used titanium hub + composite rotor blades — eliminating the traditional flapping + lead-lag hinges found in conventional helicopters. The result was unprecedented manoeuvrability + responsiveness — Bo 105s can perform loops, rolls, and Split-S manoeuvres that conventional helicopters cannot match.
Bo 105 service spanned military + civil + EMS + corporate roles worldwide. Major military operators included the German Heeresflieger (~227 Bo 105P / Bo 105PAH-1 anti-tank variants, retired 2014), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Spanish Army, Swedish Army, Indonesian Army, Mexican Federal Police. Civilian EMS operators worldwide — German ADAC Luftrettung, Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia, and others — operated thousands of Bo 105 medical helicopter missions 1972-2010s. The Indonesian IPTN NBO-105 + Spanish CASA Bo 105 licensed variants extended production through 2001. About 600 Bo 105s remain in in-service service in 2026. The Red Bull-sponsored Eurocopter Bo 105 is famous for aerobatic display flying.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Bo 105 is a German twin-engine light helicopter. Bolkow built the first Bo 105 in 1967. The Bo 105 entered service in 1970. About 1,406 Bo 105s were built before production ended in 2001. Many countries fly them today.
The Bo 105 is 39 feet long with a 32-foot main rotor, smaller than a school bus. Two Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engines each make 420 horsepower. Top speed is 168 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The helicopter can carry 4 to 5 passengers and 1 or 2 crew.
The Bo 105 has a special rotor design called hingeless. Most helicopters use hinges where each blade attaches to the rotor, letting blades flap up and down. The Bo 105's blades are bolted firmly to a titanium hub. This design lets the Bo 105 do loops and rolls, like the Red Bull aerobatic helicopter team flies.
Bo 105s have served as military scouts, civilian emergency-medical helicopters, and police helicopters around the world. The German Army Tigers (Bo 105 PAH-1) carried anti-tank missiles. After Bolkow joined other companies to become MBB, then Eurocopter, then Airbus Helicopters, the Bo 105 was replaced by newer designs in 2001.
Fun Facts
- The Bo 105 was the world's first hingeless-rotor helicopter.
- About 1,406 Bo 105s were built between 1970 and 2001.
- The Bo 105 is 39 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
- Top speed is 168 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
- The Bo 105 can do loops and rolls, very unusual for a helicopter.
- The Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter team flies a Bo 105.
- Bo 105s serve as military, EMS, and police helicopters worldwide.
Kids’ Questions
What is a hingeless rotor?
Most helicopter rotor blades attach to the hub with hinges. The hinges let blades flap up and down as the rotor spins. The Bo 105's blades bolt firmly to a titanium hub, with no hinges. This is called a hingeless rotor. The blades themselves flex slightly to act like hinges, but the design is simpler and more responsive. Newer helicopters often use hingeless rotors.
Why can it do loops?
Most helicopters cannot do loops or rolls because the main rotor would have problems when the helicopter is upside-down. The Bo 105's hingeless rotor stays under control even in unusual positions. This lets pilots safely do loops, rolls, and Split-S aerobatic moves. The Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter team flies a Bo 105 at airshows, doing tricks no other helicopter can do.
Where else is it used?
Bo 105s are used worldwide for many jobs. Civilian Bo 105s fly as emergency-medical helicopters, picking up sick or hurt people. Police Bo 105s patrol cities. The German Army flew Bo 105 PAH-1 anti-tank versions with missiles. After 2001, newer Eurocopter EC135 helicopters started replacing Bo 105s, but many Bo 105s still fly today.
Variants
- Bo 105 C / CB (civil)
- Civilian variant. About 800 built.
- Bo 105P / PAH-1 (anti-tank)
- German Heeresflieger anti-tank variant with HOT-3 missiles. ~227 built. Retired 2014.
- Bo 105 EMS
- Emergency medical variant. ~300 built. Used by ADAC + Royal Flying Doctor Service + others.
- IPTN NBO-105 (Indonesian licence)
- Indonesian PT Dirgantara licence variant. About 122 built.
- CASA Bo 105 (Spanish licence)
- Spanish CASA licence variant. About 50 built.
Notable Operators
- German Heeresflieger (1979-2014)
- ~227 Bo 105P / PAH-1 anti-tank helicopters. Retired 2014; replaced by Eurocopter Tiger.
- Worldwide EMS operators
- ADAC Luftrettung, Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia, others. Thousands of EMS missions 1972-2010s.
- Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Spanish Army, Mexican Federal Police, others
- Combined ~500 military airframes worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Bo 105 really do loops?
Yes. The Bo 105's hingeless main-rotor system + powerful Allison turboshaft engines combine to give it unprecedented helicopter manoeuvrability. Bo 105s can perform loops, barrel rolls, Split-S manoeuvres, and inverted flight — manoeuvres that conventional articulated-rotor helicopters cannot match. The Red Bull-sponsored Bo 105 display team ("Flying Bulls") routinely performs these aerobatic manoeuvres at airshows worldwide. The aircraft is one of only two helicopter types ever cleared for unrestricted aerobatics (the other being the BK 117).
Why is the Bo 105 famous for EMS use?
The aircraft's small size + twin-engine safety + reasonable cabin space made it ideal for emergency medical service helicopters. German ADAC Luftrettung operated ~150 Bo 105 EMS missions from German urban + short-haul bases 1972-2010s. The Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia uses Bo 105s for remote-area medical evacuations. The cabin layout accommodates 1-2 stretcher patients + 2-3 medical attendants. Bo 105 EMS missions saved tens of thousands of lives worldwide before the type was retired from most EMS roles in the 2010s.
How many Bo 105s were built?
About 1,406 airframes 1970-2001 across all variants. MBB / Eurocopter Donauwörth ~1,234 + IPTN Indonesia 122 + CASA Spain 50. Production stopped in 2001 in favour of newer Eurocopter EC-135 + EC-145 helicopters. About 600 Bo 105s remain in in-service service in 2026.
Sources
See Also
- MBB / Kawasaki BK 117 — Sister medium-twin helicopter from same Bölkow lineage
- Airbus H135 — Modern Eurocopter-Airbus EMS-helicopter successor
- Airbus H145 — Modern Eurocopter-Airbus EMS / military successor
- MD 500 Defender — American light-twin helicopter contemporary