Alexa Rexroth

Armed with a flight instructor’s typical toolbox of an expansive whiteboard, dry erase markers, and a computer projected flight manual, Laurent Coulon, a Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 factory pilot, held court over a captivated audience at Precision Helicopters in Oregon. Precision hosted Coulon along with Cabri instructors and pilots for a multi-day advanced training course designed to provide the first factory equivalent training session in the United States. Seated among a group of pilots with Coulon at the helm, I listened with an ear typically tuned to a frequency of Robinson-related understanding when discussing piston helicopters. As discussed in depth by Coulon, however, the Cabri G2 differs from the Robinson R22 in multiple capacities. I would come to immediately recognize these differences later in the day when I had the opportunity to fly the Cabri.
With a fully articulated three-blade main rotor system, fenestron tail rotor, and composite airframe, the Cabri certainly stands out from other piston training helicopters. A Lycoming O360-J2A serves as the aircraft’s powerplant, and pricing for the helicopter sits around $400,000. While that price tag may induce sticker shock for a buyer who could purchase a Robinson R22 for something in the ballpark of $250,000, Coulon explained the value of the aircraft is apparent when it comes to safety and associated maintenance costs.
Avery Kunz, an experienced Cabri instructor at Precision, echoed Coulon’s reasoning and explained, “The way that it operates is very much like a turbine in terms of the power management, so we like the idea that it gets students into the mindset of the next aircraft they are going to get into. Students recognize the benefits of flying the aircraft and the quality of training they get with flying the Cabri.”
Training costs in the Cabri have been averaging $430 to $450 per flight hour in the U.S., certainly more expensive when compared to most other piston training helicopters, but Kunz said cost has not been an overwhelmingly limiting factor. “We’re seeing this shift and change away from the Robinson product and its narrow flight envelope. The Cabri gives the student a lot more freedom to make mistakes while still remaining safe and has a much larger operating envelope,” said Kunz.
The French aircraft has been actively establishing itself in the U.S. market. Kunz estimated that in the U.S., there are approximately 20 to 25 Cabri instructors and 24 Cabri helicopters with 28 expected in the country by the end of the year. Coulon said the largest Cabri fleets are operating in England and New Zealand, with the U.S. falling into a third-place operating ranking. “Step by step, people are preferring to fly with the Cabri. It is much safer for training,” he said.
I was curious about lead times on receiving a Cabri in the U.S. and Coulon said the process would take three to six months at the maximum end of the scale. I asked if it was difficult to acquire Cabri parts in the U.S., to which Kunz responded, “as a distributor, we do keep parts on the shelf here. The time zones work in our favor here in the U.S., and we can usually have something overnighted by the next day. Turnaround is not a long time and we have not had any aircraft sitting and waiting for parts.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Pilot Report: Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2

The two-seat trainer boosts pilots’ confidence.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

In this article

Guimbal Cabri G2

Helicopteres Guimbal

More In Rotorcraft

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN