Honeywell HTS900 to power Marenco SKYe light helicopter

Honeywell Aerospace has signed a contract to supply its next-generation HTS900 turboshaft engine to power the Swiss made Marenco SKYe SH...

Honeywell Aerospace has signed a contract to supply its next-generation HTS900 turboshaft engine to power the Swiss made Marenco SKYe SH09 new generation light single-engine helicopter.

The agreement will cover the supply of the engine for the helicopters in series production.

Three HTS900 engines have already been delivered to support a prototype flying program. This includes one instrumented engine to support Marenco Swiss helicopter in its certification activities with the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Authority through 2016.

The engine, which weighs just 338 pounds, features a dual centrifugal compressor that generates a power output of over 1,000 shaft horsepower while also reducing fuel consumption.

The SKYe SH09 features a full composite airframe as well as all-composite main rotor and tail rotor blades; it is equipped with Sagem Avionics ICDS-8A glass cockpit avionics systems and the powerful HTS-900-2 engine by Honeywell.

The HTS900 engine is Honeywell’s next-generation, modern turbine engine for light to medium helicopters. The engine uses a dual centrifugal compressor to provide operators with greatly improved high and hot performance that means going farther, faster, with heavier loads, using less fuel.

Pilot workload is also reduced, especially during startup, due to the inclusion of a dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) with manual backup provision. This advanced FADEC makes flying procedures more secure and engine maintenance, planning and troubleshooting more efficient.

With a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 2,650 kg (5,842 lbs) the SKYe SH09 helicopter offers exceptional hot and high performance, a low noise signature thanks to the newly developed dynamic assemblies and shrouded tailrotor.

Skye can seat one pilot and 7 passengers, all with individual crashworthy seats. The helicopter feature a unique large clamshell doors, making it suitable for emergency evacuation roles.

With a fast cruise speed of 260 km/h (140 knots) it has a range in excess of 800km (430 nautical miles) with standard fuel tanks, along with a sling load capability of 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs).