Hélicoptères Guimbal
Cabri G2
Helicopter (piston) · Helicopter trainer · 2010s onward — modern
- Power
- 145 hp
- Cruise
- 100 kt
- MTOW
- 1,543 lb
- Range
- 380 nm
- Fuel
- 100LL avgas
🇺🇸Specs shown in Imperial.
Performance
- Cruise speed (Vc)100 kt
- Never-exceed speed (Vne)130 kt
- Stall (landing config) (Vs0)0 kt
- Climb rate1,185 fpm
- Service ceiling13,000 ft
- Range380 nm
- Endurance4 h
- Takeoff roll0 ft
- Landing roll0 ft
Weights
- MTOW1,543 lb
- Empty weight992 lb
- Useful load551 lb
- Baggage capacity65 lb
Dimensions
- Wingspan23.5 ft
- Length27.5 ft
- Height7.5 ft
- Cabin width47.2 in
Powerplant
- EngineLycoming O-360-J2A — 145 hp · 100LL · 9 gph
- Total horsepower145 hp
- Primary fuel100LL avgas
- Unleaded pathG100UL eligible (STC available)
Cockpit & avionics
- Cockpit typeglass
- Autopilot commonly availableNo
- Typical packages
- Garmin G500H TXi— modern (current production)
- Garmin G500H— earlier production airframes
Certification
- RegulatoryEASA CS-27 · FAR Part 27
- Certified rolesNormal category helicopter
- IFRNo
- Spin approvedNo
- Aerobatic-categoryNo
- TailwheelNo
- Complex (FAR 61.31)No
- High-performance (FAR 61.31)No
Why is the Cabri G2 popular?
Structured popularity-driver evidence. Each axis below carries one factual statement; we don't grade, the facts speak.
Regulatory fit
Three-blade fully-articulated main rotor and Fenestron tail rotor — modern design philosophy aligned with current Eurocopter / Airbus Helicopters airframes that students progress to. Not subject to Robinson SFAR 73.
Industry network effects
Adopted at multiple UK helicopter training schools and a growing number of US helicopter operators evaluating modern-design alternatives to the Robinson R22.
Pedagogy and handling
Fenestron (shrouded ducted-fan) tail rotor eliminates the conventional tail-rotor strike risk — meaningful safety advantage for ab-initio helicopter training where tail-rotor awareness is a primary instructional concern. Three-blade fully-articulated rotor handles like larger turbine helicopters students progress to.
Fuel future-proofing
Lycoming O-360-J2A is on Lycoming's documented G100UL compatibility path, giving the Cabri fleet a path off 100LL without engine swap.
Before you buy more aircraft
The next airframe is rarely the highest-leverage move.
Flight school revenue is a function of three things — utilisation, dispatch reliability, and student progression — that multiply rather than add. Most schools running below 850 hours per aircraft per year have hidden capacity worth more than the next purchase, already paid for and sitting on the ramp.
Read: Why buying more aircraft probably won't grow your schoolHow flight schools track this aircraft in Aviatize
Helicopter schools running Cabri G2 fleets configure them in Aviatize with Lycoming O-360-J2A engine reserves, dynamic-component overhaul cycles, and Fenestron tail-rotor inspection items. The type is not subject to Robinson SFAR 73, so operators don't model that framework — but standard FAA / EASA helicopter PIC currency requirements are tracked. The Garmin G500H TXi avionics are commonly modelled with separate database / subscription cost line items.
Editorial confidence
2 primary sources cited. Spec data is partially attributed; some operating details are editorial synthesis pending additional research.
Sources
Primary sources are POH / TCDS / manufacturer pages; derived sources record where Aviatize editorial synthesis is layered on top.
- Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Hélicoptères Guimbal
https://www.guimbal.com/Hélicoptères Guimbal product pages.
- Primary sourceEASA TCDS·Retrieved 2026-05-05
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/type-certificatesEASA TCDS R.011 covers the Cabri G2.
- Editorial synthesisAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Aviatize editorial
Entry authored by Aviatize from accumulated industry knowledge cross-referenced against the primary sources cited above. Specific fleet figures, fleet wins, and recent production status changes are research-backlog candidates and should be verified against primary sources before flipping verified: true.