Sh09

All posts tagged Sh09

Leonardo welcomes Kopter’s SH09 into its helicopter portfolio as the AW09.

Posted by dgualdo on 21/04/2021
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .
  • The new designation fully identifies the product as a Leonardo helicopter model while preserving its modern and distinguished features
  • The P3 prototype has now logged over 40 flight hours in its new configuration, with the PS4 expected to fly this year, followed by the PS5
  • Kopter is set to become a Centre of Competence for light helicopters and new rotorcraft technologies

PRESS RELEASE – Rome, 21 April 2021

One year after completing the acquisition of the Swiss Company KopterGroup AG (Kopter), Leonardo welcomes the SH09 single-engine helicopter as a full member of its product range by rebranding it as the AW09.

This step synergizes the two identities of Leonardo and Kopter. The AW09 perfectly complements the existing product range of Leonardo, allowing the Company to increase its share in the strategic single-engine market, which is one of the largest and most dynamic segments worldwide.

Furthermore, the AW09, brings next generation performance, demonstrates Leonardo’s innovation leadership within industry as the helicopter features the latest safety standards and most advanced technologies and this will pave the path for further advancements in vertical flight. Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters MD, said: “The product with the people and their skills were all important reasons for the acquisition of Kopter. As we make the Kopter team part of our family through the ongoing integration, we now have the latest addition to our product range fully identified with Leonardo, while preserving its invaluable distinguished features. With the AW09, we’re more than ever fully committed to pursuing a revolution in the single-engine market and setting an all-new standard.”

The AW09 will continue to be developed by Kopter in Switzerland. The programme progresses further with the contribution of joint Leonardo-Kopter teams. The third prototype (P3) has now logged in excess of 40 flight hours in Switzerland since mid-January in its new configuration. This includes enhancements in the main rotor head, gearbox, an extended rotor mast and a new design of the flight controls, combined with the modern Garmin G3000H cockpit. All of this brings even better flight characteristics, performance and ease of maintenance. The AW09 next prototype, PS4, is expected to fly this year, followed by the PS5.

Kopter is set to become a Centre of Competence for new light helicopters and an incubator of new technologies for vertical flight. As such, it will contribute to the development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems and will play an important role in the framework of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to be in the leading position on the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility. The single-engine, turbine-powered AW09 offers increased modularity, modern electronic systems, high digitalization and the largest cabin and cargo hold in its category. Outstanding characteristics – including fast cruise speeds and excellent hot-andhigh capabilities – are combined with a low noise signature resulting from the newly-developed dynamic assembly and shrouded tail-rotor.

Kopter-Leonardo – SH09 flies after major retrofit.

Posted by dgualdo on 04/02/2021
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 4 February 2021

The SH09 third prototype (P3) recently took off, at Mollis, Switzerland, following a major modification.  This was part of the planned product development roadmap, towards the final Type Certificate configuration, as presented by Kopter during the 2020 HAI exhibition.

This modification programme was successfully implemented thanks to the joint efforts of the Kopter and Leonardo teams. It includes a new main rotor head design, a new main gear box with an extended mast, and new flight controls configuration. Another significant change is the installation of the state-of-the-art Garmin G3000H integrated flight deck, flown for the first time on a helicopter.

Watch our two videos at: https://youtu.be/WP_RLtgi1Bc (Short version) and https://youtu.be/bsNbKaW56-k (longer version with testimonials from the crew).

The expected improvement of P3 handling qualities and stability were immediately apparent to the crew; during the first flight it was possible to complete a set of low-speed envelope maneuvers up to 35 kts, including forward, rearward and sideward flights as well as spot turns.

Subsequently, several flights have taken place and the crew has been able to expand the flight envelope to climb, descents, autorotation and turns up to 5000ft.

Richard Grant, Kopter Chief Test pilot commented: “The overall helicopter response to control inputs has been improved. All maneuvers could be performed accurately with deliberate and precise inputs.”

The Garmin G3000H has performed as expected, thus confirming the importance of anticipating its integration in the P3 configuration to fully develop its potential and benefits in the next generation SH09 helicopter.

Michele Riccobono, Kopter CTO and Head of Flight Operations stated: “The results of these first flights with this new configuration are the evidence of the Kopter engineering capability to accurately predict the helicopter behavior and successfully drive the design towards the required performance improvements”.

The flight test programme is now continuing with the expansion of the weight, speed and altitude envelopes while assessing the new flight deck avionics suite.

KOPTER SH09 back “home” after successfully completing flight testing in Pozzallo.

Posted by dgualdo on 17/09/2020
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELAESE 16 September 2020

Since the resumption of the test flight activities in June in Pozzallo, Sicily, our third prototype (P3) has completed 40 flights, allowing testing of multiple aerodynamic modifications and configurations. The current configuration fitted on P3 has seen a significant improvement in smoothness and stability.

Recent upgrades include an engine cowling extension for improved aerodynamics, a variable asymmetric tail plane at the best available incidence, the removal of the end plates and a larger upper vertical fin improving stability.

Richard Grant, Kopter Chief Test Pilot, commented:  “P3 returns to Mollis a very different aircraft. The changes that have been implemented this year have made a real improvement to the handling of the aircraft. Now we are able to further expand the envelope and start to realize the aircraft’s true potential”

This most recent block of flight tests has been the most productive in terms of the number of modifications assessed and the general improvements realized. Early analysis and observations confirm the validity of the new design concepts. This achievement is a result of the work of all teams involved, utilizing the analysis and feedback from all the previous flight test blocks of P3. The SH09 is more and more reaching the planned overall performance and capabilities as development moves ahead.

For the next chapter in the SH09 evolution, P3 is back to our facility in Mollis; the upcoming upgrades require a strong support from the Engineering and Operations teams.

On return to Mollis, the test priorities are to explore the capabilities of the new tail rotor and the recent aerodynamic modifications throughout the low speed envelope. We will then proceed with the upgrade to Garmin avionics and then of the final main rotor head and flight controls.

Kopter Group and Louisiana State announce new helicopter facility.

Posted by dgualdo on 12/03/2019
Posted in: HAI Heli-Expo 2019 ... Atlanta, GA, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .
  • Kopter to take over a 84,700 sq. ft. facility located at Lafayette Airport
  • Creation of 120 jobs by 2025 for production of around 100 aircrafts per year

Heli-Expo, Atlanta, March 5, 2019 – During an event taking place today at Heli-Expo, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Kopter Group’s CEO Andreas Löwenstein jointly announced that Kopter will establish a new production facility for its SH09 helicopter in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Discover our video at: https://koptergroup.com/videos/10

Kopter will lease a 84,700 sq. ft. facility from the Lafayette Airport Commission, which owns the stateof-the-art helicopter assembly buildings. This future production and support center comes in addition to the already existing and soon to be expanded Kopter sites in Switzerland, and will serve customers throughout the Americas. It is planned that it will ultimately source from U.S. suppliers parts representing more than 50 percent of the SH09’s value.

The State of Louisiana initially funded construction of the $25.3 million Lafayette facility on a 14.7-acre airport site. Kopter plans to make an important additional capital investment in new equipment and building extensions. Kopter will begin hiring of personnel later this year and prepare operations by mid-2020. Deliveries of locally assembled helicopters will start in 2021. Kopter intends to create at least 120 new direct jobs by 2025 in Lafayette, while production should ramp up to an anticipated volume of around 100 SH09 per year.

“We are delighted that Kopter chose Louisiana and Lafayette for the assembly of a dynamic new aerospace product,” Gov. Edwards said. “The SH09 helicopter will be highly competitive in the marketplace and provide outstanding performance, great passenger and cargo capacity, and superior engineering and design. Kopter could have chosen any location in North America to assemble this new helicopter. Louisiana’s outstanding workforce and facility assets, and our competitive business climate, make Lafayette the clear choice for Kopter’s future in the Americas.”

“Kopter Group chose the Lafayette site for several reasons,” Löwenstein said. “First, because of Louisiana, which is a rapidly growing and attractive region and already hosting several key helicopter operators and many industrial players. Second, for the easy access to a qualified workforce and a high-quality educational environment. And third, for the facility itself, which meets the highest standards and allows almost instant operations. Its location on the airport provides an ideal production environment, with quick and easy logistics and commercial access.”

In the framework of a thorough site selection process, Kopter Group conducted formal discussions with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) for several months. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package.

Kopter joins now a growing list of companies active in the helicopter sector in Louisiana, including offshore operators Bristow Group, Era Helicopters, PHI Inc. and RLC; and the medical air transport leader Metro Aviation.

This major step for Kopter’s development in the US follows the formation in July 2018 of a fully owned US subsidiary, Kopter North America LLC. Christian Gras is the CEO of this subsidiary – in addition to his responsibilities as Executive Vice-President for Kopter Group – and Larry Roberts the President Sales, Marketing & Customer support.

Say hello to Kopter! Marenco Swisshelicopter (MSH) rebrands its fast-growing business.

Posted by dgualdo on 15/02/2018
Posted in: Heli Events, Reportages, Photo Portraits, Website NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 1 February 2018

Say hello to Kopter! Marenco Swisshelicopter (MSH) rebrands its fast-growing business.

Wetzikon/Zurich, February 1st, 2018 – MSH, the Swiss helicopter manufacturer, has unveiled its new brand name.
During an inauguration event held at its recently completed corporate/engineering facility, the company’s CEO, Andreas Loewenstein, introduced Kopter to customers, suppliers, partners and staff. Kopter marks a new chapter in the company’s history. The launch is an opportunity for the company’s leadership to share its ambitious business strategy, as well as news about its upcoming flight test programme and the start of production of the SH09 helicopter.
The introduction of the Kopter name, logo and brand design is a decisive step that places the business as a potential leader in the marketplace. By simplifying the brand, Kopter will be better placed to tell the world its story. The distinctive branding will be accompanied by a bold new strapline that outlines the business’s everyday aim – and its ongoing vision – for missions
accomplished. Loewenstein said of the rebrand: “We’re a company with an upward trajectory. Over the past few years, we have grown quickly. To support that growth, and place us as a leader in our field, we need to be clear about who we are. That means investing in our brand and telling our story.”

“Our new name provides us with immediate recognition. It allows us to own a word that is synonymous with helicopter travel. As we are an unmistakably Swiss company, the use of a ‘k’ – instead of a ‘c’ – gives the Kopter a strong, Swiss–Germanic feel. It has a feeling of solidity and dependability – two things that are essential in our industry.” “Kopter is a modern name. In branding as in engineering, confidence is delivered through simplicity of thought. Kopter is a marker in the ground to let people know we have arrived – and we’re here to stay.” Kopter also makes a promise to its customers: whatever the missions, whatever the times, wherever the places, Kopter will get you where you’re going – safely, quickly and consistently.

Air Zermatt will be the launch customer for Marenco SH09.

Posted by dgualdo on 04/03/2016
Posted in: World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , .

Air Zermatt has selected the SKYe SH09 as its next generation single-engine turbine helicopter.

Air Zermatt enjoys through its versatile activities in high mountainous regions as well as their constant innovation a worldwide recognition. In order to be prepared for the future, Air Zermatt has selected the SKYe SH09 as its next generation single-engine turbine helicopter. “The constantly increasing requirements with regards to performance and environment on the one hand and the expectations of operational flexibility on the other hand, require a conceptually new single-engine turbine helicopter. This new helicopter we have found with MARENCO SWISSHELICOPTER” says Gerold Biner, CEO of Air Zermatt. “Important for us is the fact that Marenco Swisshelicopter enables us to influence the helicopter’s design with our 45 years of experience in areal work and air rescue.” “Winning Air Zermatt as a launch customer for the SKYe SH09 is the confirmation for us that the market is ready for a newly developed helicopter and that our design is right one,” says Martin Stucki, CEO of MARENCO SWISSHELICOPTER. “Air Zermatt’s long-term experience in combination with our know-how is the ideal partnership to bring a new, modern and versatile helicopter to the market.”

marenca_hai16

Thanks to Massimo PIRALLA for this image from HAI 2016 Event in Louisville, KY.