Rotor Torque

Marenco’s SH09 takes to the SKYe

Marenco Swisshelicopter’s single-engine SKYe SH09 prototype made its first flight on October 2, three months later than originally planned. Marenco’s chief test pilot Dwayne Williams flew the Swiss-developed prototype in the hover and made five landings during the 20-minute flight test from Mollis Airport, Switzerland to confirm the preliminary flying and handling characteristics.

Featuring an all-composite airframe and composite main and tail rotor blades, the SH09 is powered by Honeywell’s HTS‑900‑2 dual channel FADEC turbine. The design includes ashrouded tail-rotor, rear clamshell doors and floor-mounted windows.