Switzerland’s Alpinlift Helikopter has signed on as one of Marenco Swisshelicopter’s launch customers for the SKYe SHo9, with an order of two helicopters, the manufacturer said at Heli-Expo.
Alpinlift is one of two launch customers, both Swiss, for the multi-role helicopter. The first, announced at Heli-Expo in 2016 held in Louisville, Kentucky, is air rescue operator Air Zermatt.
Newly appointed CEO Andreas Loewenstein, who assumed his role in January after former CEO Matrin Stucki retired in December, said the company is targeting markets outside of Europe, particularly the U.S. and Asia.
The third prototype of the aircraft, called P3, is currently set to fly in 2017, with certification expected in 2018.