Rainer Wilke

Rainer Wilke is one of the few pilots in the world who can take a helicopter very close to the limits of aerodynamics whilst performing aerobatics. When he steers the Red Bull BO 105, spectators get goose pimples and helicopter pilots are in awe. ?Blacky? Schwarz is one of his many aerobatics pupils.

1. Do you remember your f irst flight as a pilot?

» RW: Yes, I do, but I won?t tell you why.

2. With which Flying Bull helicopter would you perform a risky landing rather than opt for the parachute? And what?s your favourite aircraft?

» RW: A parachute is not very suitable for a helicopter. I currently only fly one model, the BO 105, and I wouldn?t swap it with anything else.

3. Which plane would you like to fly if you had free choice, and why?

» RW: The SU 30. Because it can do incredible manoeuvres, considering it?s a jet.

4. How many flying hours have you completed so far?

» RW: About 8,500 hours.

5. Are there any technical or design details of the BO 105 that fascinate you in particular?

» RW: The rotor system, without a doubt. In terms of its flight qualities it was way ahead of its time, even today?s modern helicopters can?t beat it.

6. What are the flight qualities of a BO 105 that inspire you the most? And is there anything you?d criticise?

» RW: I find it fascinating that the pilot reaches his limits much sooner than the helicopter. I personally have nothing to criticise at all.

7. Have you ever worried about the age of an aircraft once you?re on board?

» RW: No, never! That?s because I know how much effort goes into the maintenance of our aircraft.

8. What was the most turbulent flight of your life?

» RW: That?s difficult to answer. I?ve had plenty of turbulent flights...

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