Story ID: 
Marenco Seeks Financing for New Helicopter
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Marenco still needs to attract investors for its prospective M12 single/hybrid and M22 twin-turbine helicopters project.
Word Count: 234
Marenco has released details on its prospective M12 single/hybrid and M22 twin-turbine helicopters project that it announced earlier this month at HAI Heli-Expo. CEO Martin Stucki, who first came to the rotorcraft industry’s attention more than a decade ago with the Sky SH09 design (now the Leonardo AW09), said he was encouraged by feedback at the show. “The industry clearly indicated that there is a lack of innovative projects in this segment in particular. Seen in this light, we have come at just the right time with our project.”  

However, Marenco’s marketing director, Rolf Spichtig, noted that the project still needed to attract investors. "Without financing, it won't work. We were able to make further interesting contacts at the HAI [Heli-Expo] with regard to possible financing of the project. Our main task for the next few months will now be to convince potential investors of the long-term and lucrative business idea, which starts with the development of M12 and M22, and to get them on board.”

The M12 will feature a longer, all-carbon-fiber fuselage with seating for up to nine plus the pilot. It is planned to be powered by a 1,000-shp turbine generator/engine that provides power to separate electric motors that drive the main and tail rotors, as well as charge a backup battery pack for emergency power for autorotations and high-altitude approaches.