Story ID: 
Highly-modified Kopter Begins Flight Testing
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The flight test crew of a modified Kopter SH09 reported improved handling and stability.  
Word Count: 259
Leonardo subsidiary Kopter reported today that it has begun flights of a modified SH09 test helicopter equipped with a bevy of new components, including rotor head, main gearbox, mast, and flight control configuration. The light turbine single prototype—dubbed P3—also features Garmin's G3000H integrated flight deck, marking the first time the system has been flown on a rotorcraft.
Swiss-based Kopter made the changes to P3 as part of a “planned product development roadmap towards the final type certificate certification.” The flight-test crew reported improved handling and stability through a series of low-speed maneuvers, including forward, rearward, and sideward flights, as well as spot turns at speeds up to 35 knots.
Over a series of flights launched from Mollis, Switzerland, the test envelope expanded to include climb, descents, autorotation, and turns up to 5,000 feet. “The overall helicopter response to control inputs has been improved. All maneuvers could be performed accurately with deliberate and precise inputs,” said chief test pilot Richard Grant. Kopter plans to use P3 to expand the SH09’s weight, speed, and altitude envelopes while assessing the new flight deck avionics suite. 
The SH09 made its first flight in 2014 and subsequently went through several major redesigns. Leonardo acquired Kopter last year for $185 million.
Stated performance goals for the eight-passenger, $3.5 million helicopter include a cruise speed of 140 knots and a maximum range of 430 nm. Power comes from a 1,020-shp Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft.