Chimbu,
Yep, I thought the same thing. The barrel roll looked like a moment of indecision to me. It actually gave me a chill to watch it.
The loop was ho hum really. You all need to watch some agricultural work or mustering some time..
Blender is correct: the strap packs are just as likely to be damaged on Sceismic as they are buy a loop on a 500...
AND for the sake of arguement"
I seriously doubt that this is the first civilian helo looped. Too many blokes own up to the 500 attempt, Joe Keeling died doing it in NZ and another good friend of mine admitted to doing a loop in a H300.
Believe it or NOT.