Mmmmm, I also read the thread on the African Aviation Forum.
I have never flown a 407, and would therefore not know if any semi aerobatic or aerobatic manouvers are permitted on the 407. I kinda don't think so.
Shawn or Nick, it will be interesting to hear what you guys have to say.
I have often seen aerobatic type manouvers performed in helicopters at airshows all over the world, but I have NEVER seen a 407 rolled or looped.
In some instances, the pilot pulls the helicopter's nose up pretty high, and when he gets to the top near zero speed, he rolls it into a right hand turn with cyclic, whilst pulling up the power and introducing right pedal to assist the turn, and comes down almost vertically. Often it looks like the helicopter went momentarily upside down, but in fact it did'nt.
Maybe we can even get a comment from the pilot. Would be interesting.