Marenco Swisshelicopter brought a full-scale mock-up of its SKYe SH09 single-engine turbine helicopter to Heli-Expo, along with its new CEO and another order in hand.
Marenco Swisshelicopter (Booth 7110) announced that Swiss Alpinlift Helikopter is ordering the SKYe SH09 helicopter and joining the launch customers’ team. The firm has committed to an early delivery. Founded in 2005, charter firm Alpinlift is based in Buochs, Switzerland, and conducts passenger and sling load operations. Alpinlift currently operates a mixed fleet of Bell and Airbus Helicopters.
New CEO Andreas Loewenstein, who assumed his duties in January, joined Marenco after founder and CEO Martin Stucki abruptly retired last December. Loewenstein is a former senior executive at Airbus Helicopters. The decision to install Lowenstein was made on December 5 at a company board meeting. Marenco is now largely funded by Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut. His interests on the board are represented by Marina Groenberg.
Marenco unveiled the $3.5-million SKYe SH09 single-turbine utility helicopter in 2009, but the program has encountered delays and schedule slippages. The first prototype did not take flight until 2014. Flight-testing was halted while the main rotorhead and rotor blades were redesigned and fitted to the second prototype, which then took flight in February 2016. Meanwhile, the certification timetable has moved from 2016 to 2018. A third prototype is currently under construction and is expected to fly soon. Marenco has 150 employees and said it has letters of intent from customers for more than 90 helicopters.
Marenco reports the following flight test milestones achieved to date with test aircraft P2: maximum altitude attained, 3,000 feet; maximum speed, 120 knots with "a lot of reserve power;" 97 percent of maximum takeoff weight of 5,800 pounds tested; and low vibration levels, low external noise levels, low fuel consumption and quick start-up. Performance targets include a 5,842 lb mtow, 140-knot cruise speed and 430-nm range.
Aircraft P3 is scheduled to join the program and make its first flight in the second quarter of this year. The company has grown to 170 employees and construction is under way on a new 43,000-sq-ft headquarters and production plant at Mollis airfield in the Swiss canton of Glarus that is scheduled to open in 2018.
The SH09 features all-composite construction, a flat-floor cabin and rear clamshell doors. It is a large single designed to carry one pilot and up to seven passengers. Power comes from a single Honeywell HTS900-2 turbine with Fadec. The SH09 will also be equipped with the Honeywell HUMS system enabling operators to continuously monitor mechanical rotating components and subsystems on their helicopters and become aware of potential problems before they occur. Other features include a five-blade bearingless main rotor system and a shrouded tail rotor.