Me thinks that this thread could become the most informative for newbies ever.
There is no doubt that many of us have evolved maneuvres which are exciting to watch and intricate to perform. They often need close attention to detail to be safe.
We should first think about what our POH tells us, I.E. how fast from stop to stop on the cyclic is allowed, Power limitations, rearward or sideways flight airspeeds, etc.
If one is never outside the POH then one must be assumed as never to be performing 'aerobatic' maneuvres? Perhaps.
One might be performing for an "airshow", or as an handling "display", but never cross the threshhold of acceptable maneuvres from within the POH when the type was certified.
One might manipulate the helicopter in a variety of 'displays routines' none of which engender approach upon the POH parameters.
I do not believe that the subject of 'Aerobatic flight' (for helicopters - rigid head included) need be worried about by administrations such as FAA or others, as one must contain oneself within the POH.
In the F/W world I think more definition is required. An A/C that is cleared for aerobatic flight would have +, -, G limitations beyond the utility catergory.
But to pilot that aircarft toward those limitations one must require endorsement, - in aerobatic maneuvres.???
After all there is no way that we could do a lomchevak or a flick roll in a thing with rotating blades.
I must amend and beg your pardon here, I have been witness to a flick roll in a R22, I still say that it should not be a permissible maneuvre.
tet