According to this thread, the fatal accident involving Ziggy Hoffmann happened on September 20, 1989 in Tuckerton, NJ (see NTSB Report).

in every book i've ever read, and after googling "semi-rigid rotor head", i have always found that the terms teetering head and semi-rigid head are interchangeable, and that rigid heads do not use hinges for flapping or lead/lag, instead relying on the flex of the head/blades...

Like I said, I couldn't comment on what the Bell teetering head is as I only have experience of Bell 47's. I do know for sure that the Lynx has a semi-rigid arrangement. If not, I've been teaching it wrong for 15 years.

I know one thing for sure, I wouldn't try and back flip a Sioux!

haha i'll second that one!

didn't mean to seem argumentative btw, i've just learned slightly differing terminology :}

Absoloutley. As GBS once said; "England and America are two countries separated by a common language." ;)

Display Aeros
 

Display Flying & Aeros

Ref the notes on Zimmerman & Hoffman ... both these guys helped me develop my display routine. I first flew with Zig Hoffman at the 1974 Farnborough show. I was demonstating the standard Enstrom 280 Shark and Hoffman and I swapped practice sorties as co-pilot. His BO 105 display included the first full loop I had seen. His machine was fitted with a rearward reading ASI which he used for his backward spiral climb. I copied his manoeuvre which has been part of my standard display routine for thirty-three years.

I flew with Charlie Zimmerman during the practice for the Cranfield World Championship in 1986. He was able to invert the BO105 at 1250 feet, with the lever full down and right yaw pedal, maintaining the inverted spin down to 500 feet before rolling to level flight as he stopped the spin to exit the manoeuvre..

Charlie had won the previous two events, but the 86 title was won by Hermann Fuchs with an almost identical display routine in the second team 105. At the 'apres ski' drinks later, the German team presented me with one of their display plaques which still adorns my study wall.

That year, Andy Berryman made a fourth place in the Army Gazelle. Anyone know if he is still a flyer?

I was taught the 'trade' by the Middle Wallop 1973 World Championship winner, Mike Meger, and a little later by another Enstrom test pilot, Mott Stanchfield.

Like our fixed wing cousins, my view is that 'display flying' does add a differing dimension to our industry. In my case, my early Enstrom displays at Farnborough and Paris certainly put a 'much criticised' type on the map. By today's Robinson standards, my sales weren't all that good, but I did personally make the sale of 138 Enstrom models while working for that wonderful entrepreneur, Roy Spooner.

Yes, of course there is an extra risk element, but display pilots are checked carefullly by a CAA appointed DAE, (display evaluator) and when, as occasionally happens to me, I am approached by a high time pilot, and advised I won't be lasting too long in the industry, I have to mention that the routine he had just witnessed was the 1205th (on the last occasion) public display I have flown, and save for a severed T/R cable at the 1999 Biggin Hill show, (non damaging landing though) I had not experienced any problems or ever damaged a machine.

I think I have said before on this forum, I'd dearly love to see a couple of suitably experienced youngsters take over from me (total retirement looms!) and work up a 'duo' display routine. I could run a two ship team, offer say a sixty display per year programme including all aspects and costs of the operation for around £350k a year. Any interested sponsors out there?

Best wishes to all,

Dennis K

What sort of experience is 'suitable' Dennis?
I've got a bit of Enstrom time and own and fly the last 28A you sold. G-BDKD no 319. A beautiful machine.

It would be a travesty if your display skills are not passed on.

Heli display flying
 

For Gaseous ... Not sure about the 'travesty' bit, but I do want to see some other pilots arrive on the heli aeros display scene. I've provided a few DAs to interested youngsters, but as far as I am aware, only one has actually displayed in public. A pity.

What is suitable experience? ... a moving feast for sure. But overall the budding display pilots needs - and in order.

1. The right temperament.
2. Plenty of type experience other than S & L work. Say 500 to 1000 hours, but those numbers shouldn't be set in rock.
3. Previous aerobatic experience in fixed wing. Pitts, Extra, Edge types.
4. The right temperament.

I'd be happy to offer an 'informal' course, but the trainee needs to provide the machine, with associated insurance for the role flying.

I use only twelve basic manoeuvres in my display sequence, so around twelve hours total should bring a competent pilot up to public display standard. I'm booked for a dozen shows this year, but can't see myself flying beyond the 2008 World Champs event. (I'm 75 this Oct !!!)

Regards to all,

Dennis Kenyon.

105 rearwards 'loop/flick'
 

I had just arrived in my first Squadron in Germany and was out on a recce near Minden when we came across a 105 which was being thrown around. The German Army pilot saw me too and obviously wanted to play. We came nose to nose and ended up with him flying at about 50 kts rearwards when he just flicked it over backwards and dissapeared beneath me - really cool! :cool: And all at lowish level as well!

I have an old video of Zimmerman display training at Buckeburg which I liberated from the ECD Eurocopter factory a few years ago! Even when I see it, I still cant believe what he got up to !