In reference to Keith's display I know for a fact that the display was witnessed by the CAA as John Lanham, GM of the General Aviation division of CAA was standing right beside me when we watched it because he was also flying a Harvard there. We both commented on the display and that was it.
With regards to whats safe and legal I make a point of not mixing the two, again 902 in Grand Canyon was classic example. Having grown up in this industry since I was 12 I have a good idea of what is safe and what isnt. When it comes to legal or not, then No I am not ofay with that and dont pretend to be. For example anything over 45 degrees, or is it 60 degs, angle of bank in the US is classed as an aerobatic manouver, something I didnt know. Then the FAA are hipocrits because ag pilots do +45 degree banks and turns every day when they are out working. So whats the difference between an ag pilot doing it and someone else. One set of rules for one person and another for someone else by the sounds of it. But thats getting off the topic.
The images of the AS350B3 going vertical is something I discussed with the pilot, whom I also am very good friends with. I asked him what I would like to try and get, we talked about it and he said he would do it. Now, again I dont know the rules and regs in SA, nor the performance manual for an AS350 series, but if he had said "Sorry cant do that its against the rules or against what the manual says" then I would have come up with something less dramatic. In my opinion if I ask someone to try and do a specific shot then it is up to them to say yes or no, as they are the PIC of the aircraft, true?
Would I ask some 150hr guy to try the same shot in an R-22, not in this lifetime. Would I ask someone like Rich Lee to try it, Hell yes. One thing I can say and that is that every image I have of a helo being pushed to the limits, is being flown by pilots with extensive flight time and whom I respect fully. If they said no because its too dangerous or not legal, end of story case closed.
Just my two cents worth and will I endeavour to capture those "holy !!!!" images again if the occasion arises, Yes I will, but will they go into the magazine, NO, will they go onto the forums, NO. Will they go onto my "I love Me Wall" at home, YES.
You asked about why I would post them in the first place. Well plain and simple, to show that in the right hands a helicopter is a very very dynamic piece of hardware, hell just look at some of Rich's displays. Nearly all images we see are of helicopters doing the normal 'mundane' (no offence intended) type of tasks, but not many of them in attitudes as I posted. I just decided it would be something different to showcase, thats all. Not to get attacked for posting them. Thats the only motive behind posting them.
Autorotate.