SKYE SH09:
SWISS PRECISION
AT WORK
EUROPE
MIDDLE
EAST
AMERICAS
AFRICA
ASIA
RUSSIA
SKYe SH09 :
SWISS PRECISION AT WORK
November 28, 2013, will eternally remain an important date for Marenco Swisshelicopter,
for this was the date that marked the first public presentation of the SKYe SH09 prototype.
But for the Helvetic helicopter-maker, this milestone also marks the beginning of a long
series of trials to validate and certify the unit with authorities around the world.
© OSCAR BERNARDI
by/par Frédéric Vergnères
CHALLENGES BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT
OBJECTIVE: INDUSTRIALIZATION
However, this emblematic presentation of the first Swiss helicopter is only the
beginning of a long series of challenges for the helicopter. It must indeed perform
a second phase of essential tests: the testing of the assembled components. A time
during which, Marenco Swisshelicopter shall test and ensure the proper functioning
of the various elements integrated together and the good interaction between them.
The manufacturer will be required to carry out all ground tests of the aircraft including
vibration and ground resonance testing, an element hardly calculable with computers.
The successful outcome of these different testing phases will be crucial to bringing
the product to first flights, that the manufacturer plans for the first quarter of 2014.
An inaugural flight highly anticipated by the company’s 80 employees, and that
Marenco Swisshelicopter is carefully preparing for. To this end, the company has
retained the internationally renowned test pilot Dwayne Williams. An expert and
recognized Flight Test Pilot, to whom we owe the first flight of the Bell Agusta BA609
and who is now working on a daily basis to check the integrity of the SKYe SH09.
Marenco Swisshelicopter has thus taken particular care to placing all the chances on
its side to ensure a successful project. The helicopter company is also in regular
contact with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) to submit and to validate the
testing schedule. The first SKYe SH09 prototype will perform its maiden flight from
Mollis airport and will thereafter undergo extensive testing in extreme conditions: hot
and cold weather along with high altitude testing in Samedan, Switzerland as well as
tests to be performed in the United States and South Africa.
Although for the moment no specific date has been set for this first flight, Marenco
Swisshelicopter remains fully focused on the targets and the test schedule, which
should allow the company to certify the aircraft at the beginning of 2015. To meet this
particularly tight schedule, Marenco Swisshelicopter plans to produce three prototypes
in order to achieve maximum concurrent testing and to develop the necessary optional
equipment required for the multiple missions for which the helicopter is intended. The
goal for the third prototype is to build a device with a configuration close to a serial
production SH09. In fact, the helicopter company has already announced the start
of manufacturing of the second prototype.
Among all the challenges faced by the company, the industrialization of the SKYe SH09
remains one of the most important. Currently the prototypes are assembled in a large
hangar shared with reference-supplier RUAG, but the company aims to develop
its own assembly line to build 10 machines in 2015 and ramp-up to 20 aircraft in
the following year. As stated by Mathias Sénès, Commercial Director of Marenco
Swisshelicopter, "The company entered into the preparation phase of industrialization in
order to complete the infrastructure and a proper supply chain. For this, the company is
currently building an assembly site on the airport of Mollis. This will include, as an industry
standard, different production modules for the assembly of the aircraft." In fact, if the
manufacturer uses the term “assembly plant” it is because it does not intend to focus
its activity on a single industrial site. The SKYe SH09 is actually the result of a mix of
different technologies currently available on the market, explains Mr. Sénès: "Like our
competitors, our business is first and foremost to become an assembler. We met the
challenge of selecting the best companies for each component of the helicopter,
whether it is with Honeywell and the HTS 900-2, with Connova and OCP for the
completion of the composite elements of the fuselage or Sagem for the Avionics, to
name a few."
In spite of the company’s origins, the goal was not to build a device with components
primarily coming from Switzerland. Nevertheless, as indicated by company founder
Martin Stucki, "It is through our research and sourcing of suppliers that we have
found a selection of different manufacturers mainly from Switzerland. Not simply
by nationalistic ambitions, but because they were more reactive and proved to be
able to respond quickly and technologically to our expectations." In fact, aside
from the American turbine, the SKYe SH09 will be equipped with over 80% of
components sourced from Swiss manufacturers. The device can therefore truly
be labeled "Made in Switzerland" and claim its national identity, a hallmark
of quality that is recognized around the world.
A MULTI-USE SINGLE-ENGINE
An asset on which Marenco Swisshelicopter relies for the sale of its aircraft and
that is wisely compared to the precision expertise of Helvetic watchmaking, as
Mathias Sénès emphasizes: "We have created the foundation of an industry which is
specific to helicopter manufacturing, which is for instance adapted and suitable to small
series of high-technology content with high added value and this, with the "Swiss label"
which makes of our company a true industrial ’artisan’.” Beyond this legitimate national assertion, a question remained about the absence of competition to the SKYe
SH09. Because in fact, besides the Robinson R66 set in a different weight-class
well below, the single-engine segment seems to have been abandoned or at
least left dormant by most market players such as Eurocopterand Bell, where all
© DROIT RÉSERVÉ
Marenco Swisshelicopter achieved its main goal for 2013: to complete the assembly of the first prototype of its SKYe SH09. The public presentation
made at the Mollis airport, Canton of Glarus, in the heart of the Swiss Alps is symbolic on a number of counts. First because it will have
taken less than three years before the brand new helicopter became a reality. Announced in March 2011, the SKYe SH09 sounded a revival
in the global helicopter world. A daring gamble successfully assumed by the designers of the machine. Additionally, with the SKYe SH09
Marenco Swisshelicopter has now brought about a historical feat by bringing Switzerland into the exclusive world of helicopter manufacturers.
© FRÉDÉRIC VERGNÈRES
© FRÉDÉRIC VERGNÈRES
aircraft manufactured have been developed and certified in the 70s. And this, according
to standards that have nothing to compare with those currently imposed by EASA or the
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Moreover the SKYe SH09 is positioned in the class
of devices under three tons and it should be able to respond to a market segment that is
experiencing strong growth. Indeed, according to GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers
Association), in 2012 this type of helicopter has seen sales increases of 23.3% over
the previous year. With these figures, the Commercial Director said "There was certainly a
great attraction to develop a modern twin because we would have prospected operators with
large fleets, beyond a hundred machines. But we had to be realistic in light of the fact that
in the late 90s the industry addressed the light twin market and all the competition is actively
fighting in this niche. In addition, it is clear that we did not have the financial capacity to tackle
the big helicopter players that glutted the market with more or less modernized offers.
We chose to take on the single-engine niche as we know that the SKYe SH09 has strong 
differentiating advantages in a market where the competition offers helicopters from the 70’s,
except for the EC120 Colibri that is not in the same segment as the SKYe SH09. Our unit was
developed to offer the highest level of versatility to meet the needs of operators in passenger
transport and aerial work." Marenco Swisshelicopter’s strategy raises a crucial question: how
to operate a "single-engine" unit in the European legislative environment that tends to
exclude aerial work with this type of helicopter? To address this difficult problem, Mathias
Sénès says "At the present time and worldwide, only Europe imposes such policy..." and added
that "our strategy takes into account the current market regulation and we will not try to convince
Europeans technocrats, far distanced from operational and budgetary realities." At the
same time, the manager has noted hints of possible change but still questions whether
the study of such a measure had been previously performed in order to assess the economic
impact on all European territories. A situation known by all and that many believe is ludicrous.
MARKET PLACE POSITIONING
Pending a hypothetical turnaround from the European authorities, the way is shown in North
America where many companies, cities and states are using piston and single-engine
helicopters for Police work, News gathering and aerial work. A region which is thus receiving
special attention from Marenco Swisshelicopter as the company feels the aircraft offers some
significant assets for this market.
With a cabin size set between the EC135 and the EC145 from Eurocopter, the SH09 is
distinguishing itself from its competitors with the improved performance it will bring,
both in terms of speed and radius of action. If the choice of the carbon-composite is an 
© FRÉDÉRIC VERGNÈRES
© FRÉDÉRIC VERGNÈRES
© FRÉDÉRIC VERGNÈRES
Despite some tongue wagging and perplexity among some in the industry, the SKYe SH09 is now one undeniable step closer to coming to the market. The development of the
SH09 by over seventy engineers and specialists permits the helicopter to target three main business segments with one machine: private, commercial and para-public flights. In
addition to the design and integration of new technologies, the SKYe SH09 takes advantage of a key element of being labeled "Made in Switzerland.” One can already witness the
positive effects of this culture by the attention to details that was brought to the prototype. It is pretty rare to witness the presentation of a prototype helicopter, thus an experimental
machine, which comes so close to serial production and with such nice finish; a pleasant surprise in an industry where test-machines are typically just a patchwork of colors. Marenco
Swisshelicopter’s entry into the exclusive rotorcraft manufacturers’ club is inspiring and we look forward to cheering their progress in the years to come.
© DROIT RÉSERVÉ
undeniable asset in improving performance, Marenco Swisshelicopter also based its
concept on a five-bladed rotor head. A choice that meets, beyond performance, customer
expectations in terms of vibrational qualities, well below conventional three-bladed rotor
heads. A shrouded tail-rotor also contributes to the dynamic and silent qualities of the
machine. Beyond performance, the interior of the SH09 was also designed and appointed.
Starting with the "High Visibility Cockpit." The prototype confirms the concept, which was
announced at the Heli-Expo show in Dallas in 2012 and provides unmatched visibility to
the outside. When designing the airframe Marenco Swisshelicopter had integrated this
need with the established target to secure flights, particularly for aerial work with external
loads but also to better control the environment as explained by Mathias Sénès: "Many
manufacturers have worked to modernize cockpits by adding colored GPS or ‘Moving
Map’ systems. However, these choices were made at the expense of modern design,
ergonomics and efficient airframes. We firstly wanted to address the issue of improving
the crew’s control of the environment, especially when one considers that some of our
customers spend 90% of the mission looking outside of the helicopter. To supplement
this innovative feature, we obviously added a fully digital instrument panel, adaptable
according to the needs of our customers." This innovative cabin design also allows the unit
to accommodate up to seven passengers and a pilot with a fully flexible cabin that remains
the most spacious in its class today. Added value that have not escaped the attention of
operators who view with interest the modularity and the broad spectrum of missions that can
be performed with the device. As indicated in the early part of the year by Martin Stucki: "80%
of our clients are operators who will use the device for multi-role missions such as medical
evacuation or aerial work."
In addition to targeting operators in the United States and Canada who already use
single-engine helicopters in both private and public sectors, Marenco Swisshelicopter is
targeting the Asian market. A coveted territory where the Swiss company hopes to take
the lead despite a still-evolving legislation but where there exists nonetheless a minimal
operational environment for helicopters. Mr. Sénès states "Asia is an area that we know
well; a fast growing market giving us very encouraging signs for potential interest in our
helicopter." Indications are similar in Latin America, particularly with Brazil, which is also
at the heart of the manufacturer’s development strategy. Indications backed up by the
fact that the company has already made sales on all cited continents, including Europe,
with more than forty-five orders for the helicopter currently on the books. 
SKYe SH09
PRELIMINARY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SH09 VERSION
Maximum take-off weight: 2,650 kg / 5,842 lbs
Maximum take-off weight with External Load: 2,800 kg / 6,170 lbs
Sling Load Capacity: 1,500 kg / 3,300 lbs
Capacity: 1 pilot, up to 7 passengers
Engine: 1 Honeywell HTS900-2 turbine
Maximum power (thermodynamic) on take-off: 1021 shp
Cruising speed: 260 km/h
Standard fuel capacity: 800 litres.
Range /Endurance: 800 km / 3.7 to 5 hours.
Main rotor: 5 blades
Anti-torque rotor: Shrouded tail rotor
Number of blades: 10
Manufacturer:
Marenco Swisshelicopter AG
Bahnhofstrasse 33
CH-8867 Niederurnen
Switzerland
[email protected]
SKYe SH09
High-Visibility Cockpit