Marenco Swisshelicopter is completing final assembly of the third prototype of its all-composite SKYe SH09 light helicopter. Aircraft P3 will shortly be joining the second prototype as part of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification process.

Like the earlier machine, P3 will represent a production configuration. First flight is planned for the end of this year or early next year.

The SKYe SH09 is powered by a Honeywell HTS9000-2 turboshaft engine. The modular cabin offers multiple seating arrangements for up to seven passengers, all with individual crashworthy seats. Maximum takeoff weight is 2.6t, or 2.7t with sling load.

Flight testing to date has seen the P2 reach a speed of 120 knots (222km/h) and an altitude of 3,000ft (914m). The machine offers a Never Exceed Speed (Vne) of 155 kts at an altitude of 7,000ft.

The launch customer for the SKYe SH09 is Air Zermatt, a tourist flight and alpine rescue operator, which currently operates a fleet of nine machines — five Ecureuils, two Lamas, one EC135 and one Bell 429.