
Sikorsky’s prototype S-97 Raider coaxial-rotor helicopter flew for the first time May 22 at the company’s West Palm Beach, Fla., facility.During the hour-long flight, Chief Pilot Bill Fell and co-pilot Kevin Bredenbeck put the Raider through what both called an “aggressive test card for a first flight for a helicopter.” After a 7 a.m. liftoff, the pilots took the aircraft through 97 test points.“The aircraft was just rock solid and we’re excited to get to the next flight and open…