BO 105 - Good, Bad or just Ugly?

[SASless]

Seems the Nigerian Police Air Wing might have all sorts of spares and aircraft setting about the place.

The BO is an amazing machine....way over engineered especially when compared to a Bell 206L-anything model.

Much prefer the Hi-skids to the standard skids...saves the belly from sticks, stumps, and rocks. Also gets the T/R that much higher which is nice.

The LS would be my pick....much more ummph when you need it.

[Brett Rankin]

Thanks chaps...

Do the Nigerian Police operate the LS? And if so is there anyone on here that can point me in the direction of their contact details??

BR

[Oogle]

Ian

The BO-105LS has the same cabin as the CBS. They were only manufactured with the CBS cabin.

Brett. The LS is a fantastic machine for lifting and fire bombing. It will lift the same as a BK117. I have used them for EMS as well and it worked fine but try and limit your crew on board to 3. You start putting 4 crew on board and you soon run out of space. The rear facing co-pilot seat allows the doctor/paramedic good access to the head of the patient.

There was a BO105LS for sale at Bankstown not so long ago.

[rudestuff]

Hey guys,

Are these things really as cheap to run as it appears? I guess it makes sense that having fewer life-limited parts makes for cheaper maintenance - but are we really talking 206 prices?
How would a 105 compare to a 500D on running cost/performance?
Oh yeah - and are they really as fun to fly as they look/sound?

Thanks

[Oogle]

Considering that the BO105 is a twin, there is no way that they are the same price to operate as a single. A few years back, the direct operating costs were in the ball park of US$800 per hour. The high cost was due to the age of the aircraft. Maybe some actual operators can jump in and prove me wrong.

I have done a number of endorsements in the BO105 and I always end up getting ill due to the fact that the students all say the same thing -

"Lets see if this thing is as manoeuverable as everyone says it is..."

After umpteen dozen steep turns pulling 2-3 g I promptly take over the controls and say:

"Lets try some hovering practice". A engine failure soon after quickly brings them back to the fact they are there to learn about the aircraft!

[rudestuff]

Thanks, I've been getting widely differing answers to this one..

[Spunk]

back to the game

After not having flown a BO 105 for more than one year I just renewed my type rating and was lucky enough to get to fly one for a couple of hours...
Power... more power... hughhugh

[Civis]

BO-105 Transmission Oil Pump Light Procedure

Question for the BO-105 experts.

What is the published procedure for one of the Xmission oil pump lights?
Is an engine shut down called for due to lack of lubrication to the respective freewheeling unit / input bearing or some other components?

Any practical thoughts on this in addition to the published procedure?

Thanks to all for any information.

[skadi]

The BO 105 has just one red light " T OIL ", which illuminates at Oiltemp > 105°C or Oilpress < 0,5 bar.
Also there is only one XMS-Oilpump, so any Engine shutdown is not useful.
There are no Oilpump Lights like in the EC 135.
An engine shutdown in the EC 135 is also not necessary, because even one of the two Oilpumps lubricates the whole Maingearbox

[Civis]

Thanks Skadi, that was fast. Does this apply to all BO's or are there different variations of XMS oil pumps / warning lights on different models?

Has anyone else heard conflicting views on XMS caution / warning procedures.

What is the published procedure for illumination of the " T OIL " light?

[XEMS]

Totally different procedures regarding the BO-105CBS and the BO-105LS. It's been 7 or 8 years ago since I had to worry about it, but yes in the LS, the EP's call for engine shutdown. When I get home, I'll take a look around and see if I still have an LS manual to quote you on it.

[JHR]

The BO105LS has two transmission oil pumps, they both can supply oil to the major systems in the main transmission. The transmission input quills and freewheeling units for each engine are supplied by by only one of the two pumps. If a pump quits you have to shut down the respective engine. No big deal in the LS as it has plenty of OEI power.

[skadi]

Originally Posted by Civis

Thanks Skadi, that was fast. Does this apply to all BO's or are there different variations of XMS oil pumps / warning lights on different models?

Has anyone else heard conflicting views on XMS caution / warning procedures.

What is the published procedure for illumination of the " T OIL " light?

Since I´ve never flown the 105LS , I could speak for the CBS only.

If T OIL illuminates, check the gauges.
If OilPress is low: Land immediately! Descent with minimum Power
If Temp above 105°, (10 min transient between 105° and 120°! ), reduce power, gain Airspeed with low Power and land ASAP

[Civis]

Thanks to all for your responses

Appreciate the information, exactly what we needed.

[LRinDislands]

BO105 CBS Info, good bad and ugly please.

HI,

Looking for any info on BO105 CBS model mid 80's - how is she to fly, operating costs(how much per Hr $ for comps bank etc) , fuel burn, basically wotz it like Guys and Gals in the know?


Thanks all

[WhirlwindIII]

BO105

Flew the predecessor to the CBS for a few years in the '70s. Rigid rotor. In turbulence the thing will do anything but let you loose - you can get sick in the thing (NOT joking). Long blade moment arm, powerful roll/pitch rates. A-pillar WILL whack you in the head if turbulence is moderate or more (lot like the early Lear Jets) - definitely a helmet machine if possible. Fuel burn @65 US gph @115IAS. Tough and simple machine but definitely has its downsides in turbulence!! Your passengers will NOT appreciate your choosing the thing, and it won't take long for that opinion to form - same thing for the BK117, especially if the thing has no stabilization.

[skadi]

For the pilot a lot of fun, sporty, fits in narrow landing spots, no electronic gimmiks, reliable...
I never got sick, even in stormy and turbulent weather...
Its not really a machine for the "average" passenger, may be, if they like a little bit of adventure....

skadi

Some people like to be driven in a RollsRoyce or similar car, others are happy as cojo in a real tough sportscar..........

[bolkow]

yeah, the bear claws, stops you sinking in soft ground, snow and such

[WhirlwindIII]

skadi

Yours:

"Some people like to be driven in a RollsRoyce or similar car, others are happy as cojo in a real tough sportscar.........."

" "real tough sportscar........." "

Mine: Hits the nail on the head! I'll take our 2.8 Z3 anytime, but not a BO105!


bolkow

Bear claws stop most helicopters from sinking the rear of the skids in snow - not something intrinsic to BO105, for sure.


WIII

[bolkow]

I think the DOC rate of £1000 per hour is way out also. I know the local air ambulance costs per £1000 per hour to operate but thats the end cost to the charity and the various public donators, the cost to Bond themselves has to be less than that.
Incidentally to the person who was looking for offshore kit for a bo105, why not contact either Bond or Irish helicopters who operate two bo105's in the offshopre lighthouse support role and have done since 1969, they will surely know where to direct you to.