Yes, I am thinking about fixed/utility floats. It is unfortunate that Guimbal doesn't offer them as an option. A call to Dart Aerospace may be in order. At least in my area having them would be advantageous. Thanks...

I got a reply from Sabine at Guimbal earlier today regarding fixed/utility floats. I'm not sure if she's referring to the currently available emergency floats or?


"For your information, air conditioning system is not available yet and
fixed floats are proposed as an option. Thank you.

Best regards,

Sabine
Castède
Sales Assistant"

Hello SeaMac,

CentralS gave you the right answer.
Probably a simple translation error from the sales dept, they must receive a lot of inquiries each day.

About the A/C, she's right but there might have been a misunderstanding about the floats. I never heard anything about fixed floats.

Does anyone know the status of the A/C and yes, I believe there was a misunderstanding about the floats...

Aircon
 

(Guimbal only offers emergency pop-out floats.)

I understand that the urgency in getting the aircon developed and certified is dampened, as the enthusiastic initial customers give feedback that they are quite happy without it. Could it be that it is seen as unnecessary luxury in what is typically used as a training machine ("Lehrjahre sind keine Herrenjahre")?

That would be a pity, as due to its inherent safety, manoeuvrability and endurance, the G2 is a viable alternative to an R44 for the private/business/pleasure owner pilot. And in this segment, an aircon is a must.

As many of Guimbal's larger, corporate launch customers are from Northern countries that must be deemed 'permanently cold' by global standards, their feedback may also be biased. I hear keeping the doors open in flight would be more than sufficient to deal with the occasional warm day. :D

Instead of accelerating the aircon, Guimbal is said to be working on an improved ventilation system that - if successfully tested during the French 2015 summer - may become available later this year. :*

Fact remains that in other light helicopters (R44, R66, MD's, etc.) people who don't have aircon take the doors off. And people who have aircon, leave the doors on, and crank the aircon. And further, if we take the doors off for operational reasons (e.g., darting, photo shoots), on hot days we crank the aircon anyway, at least during start-up, taxi and shut-down. It's just so much more comfortable!

Here in South Florida A/C is something of a "must have" and where it is true the R22's here have no A/C, those that can offer a training platform which does could stand to gain the lions share of the training market.


IMHO if Guimbal wants to break into the US training/personal market in a big way they will have to accept the US reality.....American's like comfort and convenience and in most cases are willing to pay a premium for it as well.


It would also benefit the bottom line if Guimbal were to offer fixed floats, again opening a door to be more competitive against it's primary competition the Robinson's.


Perhaps Bruno isn't interested in competing head to head with Robinson, I cannot say. What I can say is, currently the market is dominated by Robinson, one is served well to see what the competition offers if one wishes to be truly competitive and therefore achieve a higher level of success.

Seamac,

I suggest that your thoughts may be an insightful assessment of the US market, however the g2 is a relatively new product in the market, the sole product of its maker.

With roughly 100 airframes in the marketplace, global domination is a way off though logic suggests it will come in time. (Evil laugh here....:E)

That said, the US love of convenience and comfort has already been accommodated in the basic design, being somewhat wider than an R22. ;)

The toys will come, I'm sure the Australian distributor is screaming for air conditioning as well. :ok:

@Freewheel,


Yes I concur my insights are tailored to the US economy, an economy even Bruno Guimbal admits will launch the G2 and his company to new heights if he understands the US market. China will surely add its fair share to Guimbal's growth however the US can afford market dominance like no other market.


In business no matter the type, it's always better to have more work than workers, workers can always be found if the work is consistent. I rest confident Guimbal has hard orders (deposits in the bank) sufficient enough to provide the capital to complete design and certification of the A/C system and perhaps develop the option of fixed floats. Two options that would separate the G2 by a wide margin from any competition especially the A/C.


Yes again, Australia like South Florida could surely benefit from "conditioned air".... :ok:

I think she miss a word : "fixed (PARTS) floats are in option"....:ok:

It's mean, when you order a cabri, you can order, as option, the fixed parts for the float only....So later, if you need it, you have just to buy the float and connect it...:ok:

@BOBAKAT,

Yes, I am aware of that ordering option and yes I believe that is what she meant too. :)

1100

Cabri S/N 1100 delivered today to Heli Transair! :ok:


http://www.laprovence.com/article/ec...0e-helico.html

http://france3-regions.francetvinfo....ri-727643.html

http://www.aerobuzz.fr/helicoptere/b...-livre-le-100e

@CentralS,

Congrats to Guimbal on their 100th delivery... :D

I sent you a PM a few days ago. :hmm:

Bruno Guimbal can be realy proud of this success, it is well deserved ! :D

I know for certain that 3 will be coming to South Florida in 2016, they were ordered a month or so ago. It's good to know Guimbal has orders to keep the lights burning and the factory churning for a few years -at least- to come. It is my intention to ultimately own one, but Guimbal will need to have the A/C available along with fixed floats.

.
In one of the links provided by CS, we learn that the order book reachs 93 units which means that the 200th G2 will be sold very soon ! :eek: :ok:
.

.

Delivery ceremony of the 100th Cabri G2, Bruno Guimbal in front of his work :ok:
(i like the desk)



.
http://nsa38.casimages.com/img/2015/...5140200084.jpg



(Photo by A Tarditi)

That was some crash - only the tail left above ground level!

.
Well spotted JR81 ! ;)

By the way, do you fly the EBG's G2 at Redhill ? :)
.

Not so far. R44 and EC120 tickets. The G2 is rather busy, though. It seems to be very much liked as a training machine. My daughter (currently R44) is talking about getting a G2 ticket late summer and so I guess after that I will have some passenger time to make up my mind.