BO105 LS Milestones from 1979 until Today

1963 until 1969

1979, March

Basic Concept of the BO105 LS

The BO105 LS, newest version of the BO105, specifically designed for operation at high altitudes and extreme temperature conditions as well as for improved single engine performance.

MBB has designed an uprated version of the BO105 CBS with increased lifting capability. Whereby “L” stands for increased “Lift”.



Based on the results of the Experimental Helicopter BO105 L, SN 423, see above, MBB developed the BO105 LS using the powerful engine 250-C28C and an uprated main gear box, the FS 112., a derivate of the FS 110, developed for the VBH and the PAH-1. 

Design Targets:

  • improved single engine performance
  • increased take-off weight with external load
  • improved performance under “hot and high” conditions
  • more power reserve for high manoeuvre operation


1981, October

BO105 LS - First Flight of Prototype

2 prototype helicopters have been produced, BO105 LS, SN 423 (D-HDTU) short version and SN 459 (D-HDNM) long Version.


1982, May

BO105 LS - First public Demonstration at Hanover Air Show

The new BO105 LS was shown to the public for the first time at Hanover Air Show. The BO105 LS is the most powerful version of the successful BO105 series. It is equipped with:

  • two Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C28C engine
  • a strengthened main rotor transmission


1983

BO105 LS – Maiden Flight of Pre-Production Helicopter

For the necessary certification tests and flights 6 pre-production helicopters (SN 459, 651, 652, 653, 654 and 655) have been manufactured.


1983, August

BO105 LS Certification Flights at Colorado

In August 1983, in presence of the FAA, the certifications flights have been performed in Leadville (elevation 9,845 ft) and in Pueblo.

Certification Targets:

  • Take-off and landings at 15,000 ft
  • outside temperature 122 °F


1983, December

Memorandum of Understanding between MBB and the Canadian Government

On December 13th ,1983, MBB received the approval for financial support from the Canadian Government, against international competition, for the development and production of a light twin-engine helicopter, the BO105 LS.


1984, July 19th

BO105 LS A-1 – LBA Certification

  • Type certification dated July 19th, 1984
  • Maximum Gross Weight 2,400 kg
  • Maximum Gross Weight with external Load 2,600 kg
  • 2 x Rolls-Royce Allison engines 250 C28C
  • Main Rotor Transmission ZF – FS 112
  • Hingeless Rotor System with Composite Rotor Blades
  • Modular Fuselage Design with use of Composite Material
  • Fail Safe and System Redundancy Design


1984, July

BO105 LS-A-1, Delivery of the first Series Production Helicopters

The first 5 series production helicopters built at Donauwörth and delivered to the customer out of Donauwörth. All other production helicopters, starting with SN 2006, were produced at MBB Helicopter Canada Ltd (MCL), Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.


1985, April 17th

BO105 LS A-1 – LBA Certification up to 20,000 ft

On April 17th 1985, the LBA certified the mission range of the BO105 LS A-1 up to 20,000 ft. The approval is based on the successful tests in the mountains (Chile). The test flights performed with a pre-production BO105 LS  A-1, SN 655, supported by the Carabineros de Chile and flown by Willy Sommer (MBB test pilot), Wolfgang Linke (MBB test engineer) and Emil “Milo” (MBB Tec Rep).


1985, July

BO105 LS A-1 – FAA Type Certification


1985, July

BO105 LS A-2 – LBA Type Certification

  • improved temperature range – 30 °C/+54 °C (ISA +39 °C)
  • improved hover performance (HIGE/HOGE)
  • modified engine cowlings
  • re-enforced airframe (engine deck, tailboom)


1985, September

BO105 LS A-2 – FAA Type Certification

 

 

1985, November

BO105 LS A-2 – DOT Type Certification in Canada


1986, April

BO105 LS First Maiden Flight at MCL Canada

In April 1986, within the frame of the development programme of the BO105 LS, the maiden flight of the first, in Canada, produced BO105 LS took place at MCL.


1986, July 1st

BO105 LS A-3 – LBA Type Certification

  • increased Maximum Take-off Weight 2,600 kg (before 2,400 kg)
  • higher rated Main Gear box ratings
  • improved TBO on Main Gear Box 2,400 h (before 1,200 h)
  • improved hover performance (HIGE/HOGE)


1986, October 1st

BO105 LS A-3 – FAA Type Certification


1987

February - May

BO105 LS with 5-Blade-Experimental-Rotor

The BO105 LS, Technology Demonstrator, has been equipped with a 5-Blade-Rotor-System.

The following advantages are expected from the fifth rotor blade:

  • increase in take-off weight
  • reduction of cabin vibration
  • reduction of rotor noise level
  • increased load factors

During the period from 9th February to May 8th 1987 around 14 flight hours have been performed by test pilot Helmut Rückert and test engineer Rudi Thoma.



1987, July 31st

BO105 LS A-3 – DOT Type Certification


1988, October 6th

BO105 LS B-1, SN X01, Maiden Flight with Pratt & Whitney Engines

On October 6th, 1988, the maiden flight of the BO105 LS B-1 powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW205B engines took place at the Fort Erie facilities. The tests have been performed by MCL test pilot James Leitch. Some time after the re-engine programme with Pratt & Whitney was completed, X01’s fuselage was restored to LS A-3 configuration, as SN 2012.



1989, July

Fifth Anniversary of BO105 LS Operation

This year marks five years since the “hot and high” variant of the BO105, named BO105 LS was introduced. Certified by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) on July 19th , 1984 (BO105 LS A-1), on July 7th , 1986 and by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 1st, 1986 the BO105 LS A-1/A-3 is now flying with customers in the USA, Chile, Mexico and Peru.


1990 until today


1991 February 25th

BO105 LS – Design Authority transferred to MCL

On 24th  January 1991 during an official ceremony held in Fort Erie the design authority for the BO105 LS has been transferred from MBB Germany to MBB Canada Limited (MCL). As of February 25th, 1991 all future developments of the helicopter, including customer requested optional equipment and modifications to the basic helicopter, will now be initiated, completed and certified in Canada.


1994, July

Tenth Anniversary of BO105 LS Operation

The BO105 LS A-1/A-3 is now successfully in operation and flying with customers in the USA, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Lesotho and Japan.


1995, Oct. 9th

BO105 LS A-3 “Superlifter” – LBA Type Certification

  • increased Maximum Take-off Weight 2,850 kg (before 2,600 kg)
  • increased Maximum external Load 1,350 kg
  • newest generation of Main Rotor Blades
  • new Tail Rotor Blades
  • improved hover performance (HIGE/HOGE)


2004

Delivery of last Series Production BO105 LS

With the delivery of the last series production helicopter BO105 LS A-3 to the Carabineros de Chile after more than 20 years of production the programme has been finish in favour to the newer and more powerful EC 135.

In total 64 BO105 LS helicopters have been produced and sold world-wide.

·         6 pre-series BO105 LS A-1 helicopters
 SN 459, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 were retrofitted to BO105 LS A-1

·         SN 2001 – 2016 manufactured by Messerschmitt Bölkow Blohm GmbH, Germany

·         SN 2017 – 2032 manufactured by MBB Helicopter Canada Ltd. under TCTA H-79

·         SN 2033 – 2058 manufactured by MBB Helicopter Canada Ltd. under TCTA H-94

 

2004, July

20th Anniversary of BO105 LS Operation

This year marks 20 years since the “hot and high” variant of the BO105, named BO105 LS was introduced. The BO105 LS A-1/A-3 is now flying with customers in the USA, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Lesotho und Japan


2006

Bucher EMS Equipment certified on BO105 LS A-3

Since 2006 the Bucher EMS equipment is certified with a STC on the BO105 LS and can be provide world wide to any BO105 LS Operator.


2006, December

Saudi HEMS Operation with 2 BO105LS A-3

By Royal Degree, the Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS) is responsible for pre-hospital services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SRCS will provide air ambulance service with Saudi HEMS.

Saudi HEMS launched the operation on the 16th December 2006 with 2 BO105 LS A-3 after having numerous awareness trainings and successful drills at highways and hospitals.

(Reference: Saudi HEMS)


2007, July

Maiden Flight BO105 LS A-3 Superlifter with RR Allison 250-C30P

On July 3rd 2007, the maiden flight of the BO105 LS A-3 powered by RR 250-C30P engines took place in California at Calstar facilities. The tests showed extreme good results. A STC granted by the FAA allows to convert the BO105 LS A-3 with RR 250-C28C into the BO105 LS A-3 with RR 250-C30P engines.

The picture shows the Experimental Helicopter BO105 LS A-3 SN 2042.


2009, June 30th

Transfer of Development Responsibility of all BO105 LS A-3 Models

As per June 30th 2009, the development responsibility for all LS A-3 models was transferred from Eurocopter Canada Limited/Canada to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).


2014, January 7th

Change from Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH

With January 7th , 2014 the BO105 LS A-1/3 are now registered under the company name of Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH - TCDS R.011 issue 2 - EASA Type Certificate Data Sheet R.011 BO105.