Kopter has resumed flight test activities at Mollis, Switzerland, following the reassembly of the third SH09 prototype (P3) after its return from Pozzallo in Sicily. The flights at Mollis have mainly concentrated on testing the new tail rotor and aerodynamic modifications for improved handling in the low speed envelope. Flights at altitude in the local area evaluated the handling characteristics at higher speeds and in autorotation.

During these flights, Kopter has been able to achieve several firsts for the SH09, including the first flight at the maximum permissible take-off weight for P3 and for the first time the aircraft has been to 35 kts in sideways flight.

The next step for the programme is to proceed with the upgrade to Garmin avionics and install the final main rotor flight control system.