Guimbal Cabri G2
 

The French aviation press this month reports details of the first flight of this new 2 seat piston-engined helicopter planned for JAR27/FAR27 certification and full scale production in 2006. The flight of 1h15 at Aix-les-Milles LFMA apparently went well and is the start of an 80h test programme. The designer, Bruno Guimbal, is formerly of Eurocopter R&D.

Notable features are the high inertia three-bladed fully articulated rotor with unlimited life composite blades, shrouded tail rotor, pretty carbon composite fuselage and crash-worthy seats and fuel system. The engine's a Lycoming (no-one says which one) with electronic ignition and silencer on the exhaust.

The helicopter has been chosen by Eurocopter as the basis for development into a drone.

http://helimat.free.fr/2005/avril/20...ges/3063_l.jpg

Pictures at http://helimat.free.fr/2005/avril/20.../image003.html

Company press release at
http://helimat.free.fr/2005/avril/ 20050401/Daniel_Liron/Communique_Cabri.pdf

I'll post a translation when I get time if anyone asks.

Competition?
 

A good looking little machine. Would like to see some specifications and performance on it.

Any chance it could be competition to the Robinson R22?;)

A four page article in the French aviation monthly "Aviasport" reports Guimbal claim better flight characteristics than the R22 (but of course they would) and cruise of 100 kts.

They are convinced Robinson are abandoning the R22 and aim to fill the hole in the market. They say they will be able to build one machine a week soon after starting production.

Good find. I have been told that the aircraft was developed by former Eurocopter engineers (hence the fenestron), with the tacit support of Marignane.

The EADS VTUAV is the Orka-1200, under consideration by the French armed forces.

I/C

There's more than tacit support - EADS is an investor and a sub-contractor making the carbon composite main structure.

The Aviasport article also reports a greater useful load than the R22, externally accessed baggage compartment, and even a/c as an option. They also have a photo of the pilotless clone they're developing for Eurocopter.

In my opinion it looks like a good machine. Its refreshing to see someone design a new two-seater piston and give Robinson and Schweizer a run for their money.
I'm not implying that it should only be used for training but if it fits the bill, why not? Let's hope its not massively slow and uncomfortable (Schweizer) and is more forgiving than the Robbo.

I also quite liked the look of the Ukrainian machine that was posted on here a couple of months ago, but since the designer decided to put a car engine in it, I think we can rule that one out.

I wish the designer of this French/ Italian machine the best of luck.

Fay

A quick look at the photos suggests quite a bit's been done since the initial prototype was produced. I always understood the engine was an O-320, but they could always put more power in if it was justified...

I just hope they learn the lessons from the preceding designs in this area of the market, include a bit of inertia into the rotor system (the Enstrom's great here, but midway between the Ennie and the R22 should be enough) and ensure that the crashworthiness doesn't depend on how much luggage you have.
90-100 Knots would be great for 240 odd nm with 2pob, cup holders, donut device etc.

On a serious note again, how about including the cyclic & collective grips from the EC120? The guards seem awfully flimsy - except on the hydralics switch - but it had enough buttons for all the options one could possibly want & it's not going to require a specific build. Might be a method of including a non-open throttle setting for starts too....

I did really like the look of the Bongo, but I was always concerned that the engines might get expensive - thus the problem for anybody wanting to produce a contender in this market. Mind you if the engine proves to be OK, it might be worth trying for the Cabri too.

Anyone else thought it's going to be known as the Cab Ride? How about EC105 or EC110? Can the person who suggests the chosen name get a free one????

If this little Heli entered the Eurovision Song Contest it would win on Looks alone, for such like as Moi, the simple PPL(H) it sounds like it fits the bill!

Breath of fresh Air!!!


Peter R-B
Vfr

With a proper rotor head that will allow more scope. The S300 will take some beating.
A starting process like the Robbo will give it a lead. Incidentally what is the drive system?

None of the press articles I've seen nor the press release mention the drive system.

No Foehn
 

There is a mention of crashworthy seats and fuel tanks.
Just a thought, but does it also have a crashworthy floor to support the seats - I know it sound obvious, but some manufacturers of recent models have been known to go this route to save some weight!

Looks a great machine.

Having searched hi and lo for an email address or even a postal address fro these guys, they are very ilusive. Does anyone have any of these?

Jon P

Don't believe they have a website yet (it's still a pretty small team) but the postal address is:

Guimbal Hélicoptères
Aerodrome Aix En Provence
Zone Industrielle Les Milles
Les Milles
Bouches du Rhone
13290
France


I/C

Teefor Gage

Translation from the Aviasport article:

"Today's certifications, CS-27 for EASA and FAR-27 for the FAA, impose conditions that the R22 would find completely impossible to meet. For example, one sits very close to the floor in the Robinson. The position is unthinkable wih today's certifications. Accident statistics have shown that anti-crash seats save a great number of of occupants. The shock-absorption given by those in the Cabri comply with the latest standards, making survival possible in a crash completely destroying the machine.

Under the cowling, the 4 cylinder Lycoming of the same type as that of the R22, has benefitted from an advanced fit, notably with electronic ignition and matched exhaust system with silencers. The fuel circuit complies with the most stringent crash standards ( in particular no leaks after a free fall of 15m)."

Jonp

The phone book gives the address as :

Hélicoptères Guimbal SA
Chemin de la Badesse
Les Milles
13290 AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Tél : 04 42 39 10 80

Their press release states that no sales effort has yet been launched, but several operators have already expressed interest.

I'll bet they have! The R22 suddenly looks like a dinosaur, doesn't it?

Isn't the rotor disc a bit low off the ground?

It looks to me that you would have to crawl to and from the heli with rotors running.

Well, at least you've only got one passenger who has to do the crawling.

Seriously, though, in one of the photos on the link you can just see someone approaching the helicopter from the right with the wheels. It looks like his head's about level with the top of the cabin.

Guimbal Cabri G2
 

I had the good fortune to be a spectator at the first public demonstration flight of this new 2-seat light helicopter at Rouen in France a couple of weeks ago.

I found these pictures on the web and thought some of you may be interested.

http://helimat.free.fr/2005/aout/Rou...YHG/index.html

I particularly like the blades and rotorhead on this machine, real quality.

EASA Certification, I understand, is imminent with deliveries to customers starting early 2006.

Can't wait!

JJ

In the last three pictures the left-hand side door is open. Is this part of the demo? Did the pilot get too hot? Did it just pop open?

Looks nice.

Interesting to see how they fit the aft white navigation lights to the back of the red/green lights on the sides. Good solution.

Does anyone know what engine they use?

The engine is a Lycoming 0-320 E2.

There was an interesting thread on this a couple of months back: Cabri thread..

I/C