Never heard of anyone performing one in a chopper. So, can they?
I know the Apache can do a flip. But a roll is probably out of the question. To much torque on the rotor. It would probably snap like a toothpick.
Actually, now that I think about it, it’s impossible. A helicopter has no control over roll. Only pitch and yaw. A helicopter acts like a giant gyroscope for the most part, there would be no way to get it to “roll” over on it’s side like a jet can.
Some aerobatic helicopters can do loops and certain types of rolls. A barrel roll is a is a positive G maneuver. The craft never “feels” upside down even when it is. FWIW there are radio controlled model helicipters can can fly inverted.
Pitch is rotation about the lateral axis. Yaw is rotation about the vertical axis. Why would a helicopter rotate about the lateral axis and not the longitudinal axis? As a helicopter pilot, I can tell you that you can bank a helicopter just like an airplane. You just tilt your rotor disc to one side or the other.
But not all helicopters can do an “aileron roll” (which is what I’m assuming the OP means). If you have enough power and a rigid rotor system though, you should be able to pull it off. FWIW, I’ve seen footage of a “Jolly Green Giant” performing an “aileron” roll.
Do not try this in a Robinson.
A ‘Barrel Roll’ is a positive-G manoever, and can be done by a helicopter if it has the power to do it.
There are aerobatic helicopters that can do a surprising array of manoevers.
Can a helicopter do a barrell roll?
Yes, if there is a polka band on board.
FTR: rotorcraft scare the hell out of me (as in, refuse to board with intent of flight)
Given that:
Can a helicopter survive neg G’s? Does anyone volunteer to find out?