After first delivery, firm plans ramp-up of Cabri production

Start-up manufacturer Hélicoptères Guimbal delivered its first Cabri G2 two-seater to French-based operator Ixair on September 19.

By Thierry Dubois • Writer

November 3, 2008

Start-up manufacturer Hélicoptères Guimbal delivered its first Cabri G2 two-seater to French-based operator Ixair on September 19. The company claims this aircraft brings new technology to the Robinson R22 and Schweizer 300 market, notably in terms of safety. After EASA certification in December last year, Hélicoptères Guimbal now has to cope with the harsh realities of ramping up production, another big step for a newcomer to the aircraft industry.

Why will Guimbal succeed where other would-be aircraft manufacturers have failed or continue to struggle? “Compared with others, we have modest habits,” founder and CEO Bruno Guimbal told AIN. For example, he said, “We have spent for certification what Eclipse Aviation has spent in communications.” Guimbal claims that the project–from clean sheet to certification–has cost E6 to E7 million ($8 to $10 million) so far. “In terms of simplicity and modest investment, my master is Frank Robinson,” he told AIN.

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