Helicopter - Looks like an advanced Lama - AINalerts

February 29, 2016 View in browser | Subscribe | AINonline.com Marenco Swisshelicopter Flies Second SKYe Prototype Marenco Swisshelicopter’s second flight-test SKYe SH09 prototype, dubbed P2, made its maiden flight on Friday from the company’s headquarters at Mollis Airport in Switzerland. The helicopter took off at 5:24 p.m. local time with chief test  pilot Richard Trueman at the controls and flight-test engineer Peter Wittwer analyzing real-time data. "This first flight of the second prototype of the SKYe SH09 was a total success, all the test objectives were easily achieved and the aircraft performed extremely well,” Trueman said after the flight. P2, which is now the main test vehicle, has been fitted with a new rotor head and blades intended to reduce vibration and complexity on the rotor head, while enhancing “tolerance to future upgrades.” The initial flight verified the lower vibration  and noise levels, Marenco said. Meanwhile, the company is building P3, the first conforming prototype, and expects to set up its production line for the SKYe later this year. EASA certification of the all-composite helicopter, initially planned for the second half of this year, has slipped to next year, with FAA validation to follow in 2018.