Bölkow Bo 102
The first prototype of the ground-tethered, training device was constructed in 1957 by the Bölkow- Entwicklungen KG. This so-called Heli-Trainer so-called served far into the 1960's as a training device for flight instructors, flight students and helicopter mechanics.
This trainer was equipped with a three-cylinder, two-cycle motor and was later produced in series. During the first schooling phase it was mounted on a swivel pedestal. With this configuration the student could easily learn to operate the rotor-blade feathering lever and the gas-handle grip as well as the sideways steering. Later, this training device was outfitted with a large, inflatable, rubber-ring and placed in a water basin, so that the advanced students could become acquainted with the flight angles of the device with its various movement possibilities. The Heli-Trainer was used by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and also by several European countries as a schooling device.
With this Bo 102, glass-fibre was used for rotor-blades for the first time over a long operational period on a series-built, helicopter device. In total, Bölkow produced 18 training helicopters with single blade rotors up till 1962, when manufacturing was stopped to low demand. The list-price of DM 102,000 was too expensive for small helicopter schools.
Technical data
Bo 102
| Power Plant | ILO three cylinder with 40 HP |
| Construction year | 1957 |
Weight
| Empty Weight | 560 kg (without inflatbale floats and pedestal) |
Dimensions
| Diameter main rotor | 6.56 m |
