Marenco Swisshelicopter announced here at Heli-Expo that it had signed a letter of intent to evaluate the Archangel Systems (Booth No. 5532) AHR75 attitude heading and reference system (AHRS) for use in its new, all-composite SKYe SH09 all-composite helicopter. The SH09 is expected to make its first flight later this year with the Archangel system on board.

Marenco (Booth No. N3712) will combine the AHR75 with Archangel’s AHR150A-2 magnetic steering unit for a complete AHRS solution. Bench testing is underway at Marenco’s Neiderumen, Switzerland facility, where the first prototype SH09 currently is under assembly.

Separately, Marenco announced the appointment of Heliflite as its distributor in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.

The SH09 is expected to have a top speed of 140 knots, an mtow of 5,842 pounds, seating for one pilot and seven passengers and a range of 430 nm.