Ten years ago, the prototype of today's AW09 light single helicopter took off on its maiden flight. In the early 2000s, Swiss national Martin Stucki, a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur and helicopter pilot, initiated design work on a new light single turbine helicopter that let to the Marenco Swiss Helicopter SH09. The concept adopted several modern features including a carbon composite airframe. In 2016 Martin Stucki stepped down from the company he created - however, the changes in management did not go off without a hitch.
In January 2018, the company was rebranded as Kopter with the helicopter name changed to SH09 (dropping the SKYe). In 2020 Leonardo has signed a contract with Lynwood (Schweiz) AG to acquire 100% of Kopter Group AG (Kopter).
