Kopter Group has commenced the next phase of its helicopter development and certification programme with its latest SH09 prototype number 3 (P3), which has achieved the necessary technical clearance and regulatory compliance to start flight tests. Assembled at the Kopter facility at Mollis airfield, it incorporates several improvements and modifications based on feedback resulting from the testing of Kopter prototypes 1 and 2.

P3 has already performed a 40-minute flight from Mollis airfield as part of its first flight test schedule. This included a series of manoeuvres aimed at obtaining preliminary flight data, validating test design features and evaluating flight qualities.

“P3 demonstrated excellent handling characteristics today,” said chief test pilot Richard Trueman after the flight. “I expect Kopter to make rapid progress in development of the SH09.”

Kopter chief technical officer and head of flight operations Michele Riccobono was on board P3, together with chief flight test engineer Adam Reynolds. Riccobono added: “I am very pleased with P3; the Kopter design team have developed this latest SH09 to bring forward Kopter development and certification activity over the coming months. With P3, we have a key tool for this task.”

While P3 continues its flight test campaign in Pozzallo, in the Sicilian province of Ragusa, Kopter will ready the next prototype, the pre-series number 4 (PS4), for further flight trials in Sicily with P3. It will also begin the process of upgrading its Mollis facility into a fully operational commercial production centre.

“I am proud of the Kopter team and its ability to develop the next generation single engine rotorcraft,” says CEO Andreas Lowenstein. “With P3, we are set on the path towards delivery to our customers. We have seen a tremendous response from the market for the SH09. It offers the highest standards of safety, mission capability and cost efficiency our customers are asking for."