VIDEO: Inside the Red Bull Helicopter!

 
Ever wonder what it's like to do a flip in a helicopter? I know I did!

I had a chance to take a ride with one of my new heroes, Chuck "Malibu" Aaron, the pilot of this modified Eurocopter BO-105 CBS 4 Twin engine helicopter, better known as the Red Bull Helicopter. The chopper has a rigid rotor, as opposed to a semi-rigid rotor, which gives it the ability to do all kinds of fun stuff. We're talking flips, barrel rolls, free falls, etc.

First, I asked if we would be doing the maneuvers over the Gary Airport. I wanted my photographer to be able to shoot us from the ground looking up. I was then told that due to regulations, the tricks couldn't be performed over a populated area. We had to fly out over the lake to do what we were going to do. Not the most reassuring dialogue to have before going airborne in a FLIPPING HELICOPTER!

But Chuck immediately put me at ease. His flowing airman hair and adventerous mustache screamed "good pilot." Watching the video back, it doesn't look as crazy as it felt. But the Red Bull chopper was a wild ride, one I'll never forget. You can see my story about it above, but I did shoot some extra video in the cockpit. Sorry it's so shaky - we were in a FLIPPING HELICOPTER!...




And finally, the entire raw video of my ride. All shot from the tail on the chopper.




Again, this is a specially modified helicopter. Do not try this at home with the chopper you take to work. You'll crash. Seriously.

The Chicago Air and Water Show happens this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Avenue Beach, but you can catch it all along the lakefront on the North Side. Wave hello to Chuck for me!