For anyone who wants to get the gist of the second PDF article I have managed to get it through Babelfish and tidy it up a bit.
I truly hope that I do not anger Bruno Guimbal or tread on any toes by doing this
but I found that it answers many folks questions and I hope it helps. Now I'm just hoping my lottery number comes up or my inheritance arrives early and my order would be in!
Enjoy.
The concept of Bruno Guimbal is simple: it is to propose a light helicopter for two people, powered by a piston engine. Needless to say that the project of the CABRI aims at the same market as R22 of Robinson.
Bruno Guimbal was Born in 1959 of a family of engineers. Bruno Guimbal révait since its more tightening enfrance to become... engineer! Impassioned by mechanics, he was a turner-milling machine operator in shorts at 8 years age. At 15 years, He passed its CAPE of draftsman thanks to courses of the evening. It should be said that the young Bruno had continuation in the ideas. A baptism of the air at 18 years gave him in more passion of the air. By looking at the various planes on the market, its choice was quickly made: Bruno was going to build Vari Eze. It was also the first Vari Eze in France. The financing was not easy matter to achieve, but while working hard, the purchase of the engine became possible. Not having finances to buy the undercariage. Bruno turned himself the wheels and the brakes. It is this plane which changed his life definitively. 1 ' 200 hdv with the orders of its plane throughout the world, a splendid experiment and the beginning of a friendship with Burt Rutan, genius of aerodynamics. Then arrived time to grow. Various aeronautical schools, the discovery of the world of the aerofoils
Revolving then, at the end of his studies with I' Ensam, a training course at Aerospace. We are in 1981 and it is the insane time of the modern rotors. Returning train dolphin, Squirrel; the world of the helicopter is in effervescence. As an assistant chief of the project EC-120, Bruno GuimbaI becomes a specialist in the light helicopter. In 2000, Bruno is a chief of the service of flight controls when he decides to leave Eurocopter.
The company has ete creee with a blow of inch of Eurocopter bus the former employer had allowed has Bruno Guimbal the benefit of access to certain information. This close collaboration with Eurocopter consortium is a pledge of credibility for the young company. Today, Guimbal Helicopters and Eurocopter are partners in the undertaking. Vertivision, a firm which has like vocation to manufacture a helico drone. But it is not in so far as Bruno plays the military chart to finance the civil project. The financing of Helicopters Guimbal east ensures parses proper sums of money, the support of its family as some friends engineers who do not have hesitate has to invest their economies in the project. The fact of having gains prices well equip as the contest of the creator of company of high technology him A gives a certain financial autonomy. Also let us note like shareholder a subsidiary company of the Agricultural credit, which takes part in a strategy of capital risks. All that made it possible to raise four million to develop and debut the construction of a light helicopter for two people, the CABRI. Currently, Helicopteres Guimbal is located on the aerodrome of Aix-the-Miles in the Mouth-of-Rhone, a quiet ground in Provence that military and civil divide in good co-operation. The young company employs 11 people and works in collaboration with many external partners.
The analysis of the history of the helicopters can resume in a few words. All started in 1947 with the setting on the market of Bell 47. Twenty years later, Hughes 300 gained an immense slice of US Army; it was the second of the band. The latest to date is Robinson R22. Since the first delivery in 1979, more than 25 years are ecoules. But one always speaks about a modern and economic machine. It is thus rather obvious that a helicopter built with current knowledge and by using technologies of the third millenium will be a product superior. But this superior theory is far from guaranteeing successes of the project. The preserving medium of aviation etant by definition, of many futuristic projects are balances by a cooking failure. Remember the Starship of Beechcraft, moreover draws by Burt Rutan and cense releguer has scrap family of King Air don' T the origin goes up at the Fifties. But in the same category there are also "happy end", as proves Piaggio with its Avanti, same if the premieres years of the child were particularly painful. In lemonde of the revolving aerofoils, This toire is much less rich. Same if giants like Bell or Eurocopter sometimes succeeded has to impose little successful machines, it is necessary recognize that the law of walk will not allow any error has Bruno Guimbal and his accomplices. But do you recall, Frank Robinson succeeded well, then why not Bruno Guimbal? The CABRI wants to be innovative on many points. One of the priorities relates to technology. For this reason, two decades at Eurocopter have leaves deep marks in the spirit of Bruno Guimbal. Why change a horse which gains? one would be tries to ask by making a first turn of the CABRI, principal Rotor, anti-torque rotor, massive use of composites; a certain similarity with the concept of the EC-120 is not has to deny. But the more we turn around the CABRI, the more we will discover the machine and the more us sums impress. For this quest of the technological reasoning, Bruno seems close to the vision of the perfect genie. If the aircraft flies as well in the airs as on the drawing, the CABRI promises! But we have another vision immediately. Bruno Guimbal seems to think of all, not forgetting any preoccupation of the purchasers and users constituting the target of a light helicopter for two people. it is enough to look at the poignees doors or to note with which facilitates the flight controls demount themselves: it is obvious that gargon A really thinks has all! Moreover, at the time of our report, Bruno has watch to us certain functionalities of the machine which are quite simply revolutionary.
Some of these details do not only have for purpose that of improving comfort, but it is well what the customers seek! Any Renault CLIO now has ABS and electric windows, but on the level comfort, the planes and helicopters nowadays are reminders on the level of Renault Gordini. When Guimbal devoilera the final grinding of the CABRI, the other manufacturers, had including, will be well warn to take as a starting point this philosophy! Comfort and advanced technology are used, thus veiled already two points of the CABRI concept. Third the field of the flight concerns. But on this subject, we can only take note of the enthusiastic declarations of its manufacturer, because in the current state of the project it does not have us possible yet to proceed has a flight test. The fourth shutter of importance relates to safety. Indeed, I acknowledge not to be tent to test a crash landing has edge of Bell 47, of an Alouette nor of a Squirrel. Passive safety is a notion absent of the dictionary of the old machines, same if certain exceptions exist. Indeed, Hughes 300 become Schweizer gets a level of safety enough eleve. But at all events, the new standards CS 27 which regulate the resistance to lightning, the anti-crash sieges as the anti-crash fuel system impose a degree of safety which would make impossible to certify the current machines nowadays, including R44 of Robinson. The EC120 has been the first light helicopter certifies according to these new standards. It is thus as much by conviction that by obligation which the CABRI wants to be like machine extremement sour
Anti-crash
The CABRI has passed with brilliance the tests of certification of the anti-crash sieges and the adjacent structure in accordance with standards EASACS-27 and FAR 27. These very difficult tests have been realises on bench-catapults specialise Millbrook company, close to Luton (the U.K.), under the control of the EASA. Customs include/understand a shooting incline towards the front, of 19 G, and a shooting to the bottom, of 30 G Are measurements the efforts in seat belts, in the spinal column, and the impacts on the tete; all are satisfactory, with a margin ranging between 15 and 50 %. Cesucces eta it a eta EP extremely important for the programme of certification of the CABRI, because it made it possible to validate essential the architecture and the structure of the apparatus. The anti-crash structure constitutes one of the principal technical challenges of the program. It made the object of a help of the Management of the Programs of research to improve safety. While making survival possible has vertical speeds of 2' 000 ft/min., which is well a superior has speed in autorotation, this present technology an important potential of improvement of safety. The CABRI G2 will be done the very first helicopter has pistons has to satisfy the new standards.
Technology 2OO6
The rotor is has I' helicopter what is I' wing is has I' plane. But contrary the aerofoil has fixes, the generation of the bearing pressure is a quite complex business. Often, one speaks about profile and the celebre series of the NACA is known of each one. And it is true that according to the profile uses, behaviour in flight of a plane east modifies. That is worth of course also for the helico, but to use such or such profile is only one of the many parameters which make that a rotor functions or not. In the case of the CABRI, Guimbal started from a profile ONERA which it A modifies to hold specific account of the needs for the CABRI. We are in presence of composite blades of latest generation, without time limit of life. An autorotation character largely contributing has the safety of a helicopter: Helicopteres Guimbal has chosen a rotor with an inertia 40 % higher than the requirements of 1' armee americaine, always very concerned of the life of the servant boys. The figures indicate a double inertia of that of R22. That comes on all from an important steel ballast at the end of each blade. Faithful to its origins in Eurocopter, Bruno Guimbal has chosen a three-bladed rotor on tete semi-rigid rotor on butees spherical. We can done await us has a machine of good a manoeuvrability and a good aptitude for turbulences. The shock absorbers of trainee are signs Lord. As a whole, the principal rotor of the CABRI strongly resembles has that of the EC120 of Eurocopter, a reference. It is thus not surprising to note that the rotor arriere resembles has y meprendre has a Small window. This anti-torque rotor carene contains 7 symmetric blades of an entirely new technology. The choice of a symmetric solution makes it possible to reduce the weight, knowing that the noise of the RAC is not a problem for a so small machine. Let us note has cetitre that principal sound emission comes from echappement. This last setrouve done turns upwards: it is bete like hello, but effective sacrament. All the beam arriere is a unit mono block weighing only 7 kg. Of visu, derive the arriere shows a small size. Thus, the sensitivity to the cross wind in work ground should be reduced and a test in flight will inform about stability in lace once I' apparatus stabilizes of cruising speed. Bruno Guimbal indicates that it is possible to release the swing bar in hover: that promises and desire gives me for turning over has Aix-en-Provence. this Fenestron imitation especially developed for the CABRI has besides ete brevete within the framework of the agreements between Guimbal and Eurocopter. The transmission arriere is conventional, as besides limps it of transmission arrierre. The BTP is like any other part entirely chosen by Guimbal. All the major parts are fabriquees from ebauches forgees. For entrainer all that, Bruno Guimbal east turns to Lycoming 0-360 of 180 cv detare for the needs for the CABRI has 145 cv, which should ensure an excellent reliability. The choice of the good Lyco old man was not done by conviction, but quite simply because it is the best compromise available to date on the market. Useless of preciser that Bruno remains more than attentive with the development of the diesel engines, of which of breux name concepts are more than promising. Another promising way could be in the concept of new the minis turbines under development at several companies, like Pricelnductionen France, it is certain that the future passes by an engine turning to the Jet-A1, but for the moment, us so mines in 2006 and the venerable Lyco is the only reasonable choice, especially in term of reliability. Yes, you read well, it is indeed of one 0-360 and not a IO 360. Does Done not of injection have edge of a helico which wants to be avant-gardist? ! Bruno delivers his mink to us: On a rustic engine like Lycoming, an injection does not bring anything. Remember that the injection of an engine aviation uses a rudimentary technology and n;a nothing has to see with the complex systems of the modern automobile world. Thus, the carburettor Facet of the 0-360 does not consume more, is not less reliable but pese much less heavy and coute as less expensive as a solution has injection. Remain the foutu problem of carburizing icing. For this reason, it is very important to know that the engine of a helicopter, contrary has that of a plane, east couples has a free wheel. Thus not of inertia in the event of icing carbu like that procuree by the propeller of a plane! When ga frosts, the dry engine arrete and it is useless of preciser "Ca does not do it" has edge of a helico, to take again an expression of our youth. But Bruno would not be Guimbal if our Trouvetout did not have invents a parade has this report little rejouissant. Thus, the CABRI is equipped with an automatic system advance certifies which prevents carburizing icing. In same optics, the engine of the CABRI is equipe of a lighting electronic which is the STC object. As already evoque, I' echappement style chimney of boat makes it possible to lower the noise level in a spectacular way. Like all large the idees, it is simple like hello, but still was necessary it to think of it. It goes without saying the regulation of the power is done by a governor: those which have pilot a Robinson apprecient the system which automates the admission has the instar of the regulator of a turbine. The flight controls are not only parts nice to use, but once more precise in the detail. Thus, the friction of the collective pitch is positioned so as to allow its operation without releasing controls. Another easy way per puts demount the controls of flight in two movements. Click-clac, it is removed, folds and arranges in a small trunk: it is magic! The electric circuit is has 12 V. A light solution and well adapted with the requirements in energy for a light helicopter and, as said it has right title Frank Robinson: "When my car will be 24 V, my helicopter will be..." the central dashboard holds a semi-traditional avionics. Standard racks per put to mount radios of the type Bendix/King Silver Crown or Garmin. Airspeed indicator, variometre and altimeter traditional frame a beautiful screen LCD of 130 X 98 mm. This MFD containing flagstone stamps activates has high luminosity gathers the parameters engine and other indications for the control of the helicopter.
Performances
With Vne of 120 kts, the CABRI is weapon for constant descents. To 100 % of the continuous maximum power, the cruising speed will be of 100 kts and always of 90 kts has 85 % of the power. Bruno Guimbal speaks about a very weak ecart, independamment of the weight. The maximum mass is fixed A 700 kg and the evoque manufacturer a tare weight of 430 kg. Question about the ceiling in hover, Bruno says that the CABRI will have performances honnetes, my is not exceptional because the aerofoil privilegie safety with good performances in autorotation and normal flight.
Finances
Currently, the selling price aims of a CABRI is has 240' 000? HT. Does by way of comparison, the importer of Robinson indicate 190' 000? for do R22 and Sat-Heli invoice 250' 000? if you wish to acquire Schweizer 300 CBi. Like always, our articles suppose the monetary parite between the green bill and the euro, thus adjust according to the rate of exchange at the time of the purchase. But the purchase price is only one criterion in the cost of a aeronef. Maintenance, the potentials like possible butees calendar and the price of the sets mecanic are all of the factors entering final calculation. The engine of the CABRI has emblee of a potential of 2' 000 H, it is traditional. The sets mecanic are Ca leu for TBO between 3' 000 and 4' 000. Let us take the example of one limps of principal transmission: at Guimbal, the TBO is of 3' 000 h. Actuellement, the manufacturer is not able to indicate a price for a general revision. But Bruno Guimbal wishes to propose tariffs which will not depasseront those of R22. For current maintenance, draining engine is always has 50 H, but the premiere intervention on the helico is made seulementa 200 h. Notons also that currently, Helicopteres Guimbal is not yet prononcee about the butees calendar. II remainder has esperer that the CABRI will echappera has this French speciality which wants that a unit mecanic is good for revision generate at the end of 12 years, it does not matter the hours with the meter. Schweizer, Enstrom, Bell and the others prove decencies since that it is completely coherent to reason only of numbers of hours, a very important vision for the private individual who He steals qn' per annum a hundred hours. Private individual? Yes, the CABRI is not only a helico for the flying school. With its tank of 170 L which allows a 5 hour endurance and a reel trunk has luggage which swallows two bags cabin with the standard Air France like two beautiful satchels, the CABRI allows beautiful weekends has two.
For when?
With the present stage of the things, Bruno Guimbal espere to be able to certify the CABRI during second half of the year of this A nnee. The company considers a rate of initial manufacture of a machine per week. Manufacture owes F anger has Aix the-Miles oil the beautiful ones and old workshops of the air base have libere a surface of 2000 m2. The company is under discussion avancee with several serieux customers who have proclamation their interest to become distributors of the CABRI. Maintenance will be effectuee by workshops agrees, but the modalites of approval must still be definies. It is done a very beautiful adventure which is likely now very good to succeed. Frank Robinson A proves soon thirty years ago qu II is completely possible of revo-lutionner the field of the light helicopters. We already took go with Bruno Guimbal to follow revolution of its beautiful adventure. We would be happy of soon being able to announce other good news to you. Then remain has I' ecoute