Guimbal Cabri G2
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KiwiFlyer KiwiFlyer Feature KiwiFlyer Feature 180 to 145hp). It’s a stark contrast to the wearing helmets. Wide people are easily Guimbal Cabri G2 - Flight Test modern technology employed everywhere accommodated too, with the cabin having else by Guimbal, though the electrical plenty of shoulder room (6” wider than an IN OUR August issue of KiwiFlyer we profiled the new Guimbal nicely built and that there has been a great amount of effort put system does exchange the magneto for an R22). Seats are comfortable and there are Cabri G2 which was then due to arrive for NZ Distributors, Pacific towards attention to detail. The impression is akin to that you get electronic ignition unit on one side. Access 4-point shoulder harnesses that are easily Aircraft Sales in September. Two aircraft were imported, one for from closely examining a European car, versus something from is delightfully easy without any bending latched in one operation. Of particular the first Australasian customer in Christchurch and the other as well, another country. Everything looks exactly right, both from an required and the oil filler is right there in note is that the seats have substantial crash a demonstrator and for use by sister company Pacific Helicopter aesthetic and an engineering point of view. front of you and free of obstructions – protection, such that a 2000fpm vertical Training. In December, your KiwiFlyer Editor visited Pacific which is just one example of how all the impact is deemed to be survivable. Guimbal Helicopter Training for a test flight and in the course of a very An introduction to the Cabri little niggles that R22 or S-300 pilots are estimates that half of helicopter crash enjoyable summer’s day in Canterbury hosted by Director (and We started with a guided tour of the Cabri’s features by Terry. familiar with have been addressed. The fatalities could be prevented by the crash A-Cat Instructor) Terry Murdoch and Instructor Chris Hollands, The composite rotor blades (which are not symmetrical in profile) cowls are latched and include a safety lock protection features built into the Cabri. also obtained a look like they that permits safe flight if the latches have Needless to say it meets the very latest rating in the aircraft. could have come not been closed properly. Also worthy of EASA safety standards. straight out of the note are the engine baffles which can be Something else to delight R22 and S-300 First impressions Eurocopter factory, removed in half an hour if maintenance pilots is the 200 litre boot (with a 40kg What looks right, often is, and the Cabri does. It’s difficult to so it’s not surprising happens to be required, which is quite a capacity), accessible from a panel on the approach the Cabri to be told they contrast to Robinson’s arrangement. right side of the fuselage and also from without some are manufactured Also in contrast to Robinson and inside the aircraft, meaning that a camera or pre-conceptions, with Eurocopter Sikorsky, the engine pivots to engage the AIP, etc. can easily be stowed and accessed though with the processes including clutch and the main gear box takes the in flight. There is also a small compartment aircraft still relatively their patented belt tension, leaving the drive train in in front of the instrument console for new to the market bonding methods permanent alignment. storage of dual controls. Main rotor blade profile. (these are serial for the stainless steel The fuel bladder (designed to F1 safety There is a normal suite of standard numbers 24 and 25), leading edge caps. standards) has a capacity of 170l for up to a instruments, except for RPM and engine there isn’t a great The Spheriflex 5 hour endurance. monitoring which are all cared for by deal of informed rotor head is A 4 into 1 free-flow tuned exhaust made the Electronic Pilot Monitor (EPM). commentary equivalent to those of inconel (commonly used in gas turbine This is a digital display panel that most available to on the EC120 blades and in formula one exhaust systems) interestingly also includes a Multiple Limit review in advance. and Super Puma exits through the top of the tailboom to Indicator which combines several critical The company’s which again is not help reduce the aircraft’s noise signature performance indicators (engine speed and marketing speaks surprising given which is already very low thanks to the power setting, fuel flow, oil temperature and of technology and that patents for the Fenestron tail rotor. ambient air pressure) into one instrument safety but how design are held by Which brings us to the tail. Guimbal for the pilot to monitor. Automatic much of this would Cabri G2 in the Waimakariri River. There are good reasons for it looking like a small Eurocopter. Bruno Guimbal and shares the patent for the Fenestron system calculations drive a dual indicator to show be specifications on paper and how much would come through in Eurocopter. (Guimbal has worked both for and with Eurocopter with Eurocopter, Guimbal holding rights how much throttle is remaining and how the feel of the aircraft and what it is like to fly? Those who choose for over 20 years and received technology development contracts for use on aircraft below 1200kg and much more power (in %) is available at to be critical speak of price, though inevitably this is without ever from them that directly supported the Cabri project itself). Blade Eurocopter for heavier aircraft. The Cabri’s any time. A read out of % of throttle having seen or flown one. Competing aircraft are obviously the attachment ‘forks’ are integrated into the blades. The system is system utilises low cost fail-safe injected turned on start-up is given, helping to The Electronic Pilot Monitor with automatic Robinson R22 and Sikorsky (was Schweizer, was Hughes) 300. So exceptionally strong, proven when Guimbal manufactured a blade plastic blades with high tensile stainless reduce the likelihood of an over-speed on display of power available and throttle position, the expectation was for a modernised cross between a 300 and a 22, with all possible defects then deliberately impacted it until there steel spars. There are no life limits on the start. And the EPM also displays fuel and plus fuel burn and flight time remaining. priced at the top end of the two seat helicopter market. What you was a large divot at the root. They then fatigue tested it for months blades and flight has been demonstrated flight time remaining as well as carburettor get for your money though, is actually a lot more than you might before inspecting it for integrity – and it was fine. They also failed with one blade deliberately broken in half temperature (which is monitored and expect. The Cabri has all the essence of a small Eurocopter built a main hub and then demonstrated 200 hours of safe flight. The along its chord. Of course the shrouding controlled automatically). It is also a flight to the very latest standards, perhaps creating a new market all of main rotor driveshaft is milled from a billet of stainless steel, and of the tail rotor also provides for significant logger. Should the EPM fail, there is an its own. It’s not necessarily an aircraft that is directly comparable to Terry explains that there are no cast parts anywhere on the Cabri bystander safety and greatly reduces the independent backup system for rotor rpm either the 22 or the 300 at all. as Guimbal was not satisfied with the ability to control quality in a risk of tail rotor strikes in confined areas or management which consists of 3 lights to Walking up to the Cabri, you’ll first notice that it is genuinely casting process. during mis-judged approaches and landings. show low, normal and high speeds. attractive and that the rotors seem low (about 13 inches less than Behind hinged cowls on either side (held open by pneumatic The shape profile of the shroud has also The controls are all nicely engineered an R22). Walking around it you’ll notice that it is exceptionally struts) is the venerable Lycoming O-360 engine (derated from been designed to avoid tail rotor vortex and fall to hand as you would expect. A issues. trim hat is incorporated on the cyclic. A rubber mounted undercarriage pivots Mixture and magneto switches are located like the EC120, intended in part to reduce in an overhead console. Pilot side pedals the likelihood of ground resonance. As have an elegant two position adjustment well, these two NZ aircraft are the first available. There’s also a cup or i-pod Cabris to be set up for hook attachment. holder, an auxiliary music input and a 12V The doors which are held open by accessory outlet. pneumatic struts, have positive and elegant latches and are dual pinned to ensure Pre-Flight flush closing and a good seal. Locking There’s nothing especially unusual or The two NZ Cabris outside Pacific Aircraft Sales’ Spheriflex rotor head. Note the blade attachment Engine access is very easy. Note the unobstructed is by a remote key. Access is easy and difficult about the pre-flight, though you Bruno Guimbal shares the Fenestron tail design hangar at Christchurch. forks integrated into the composite blades. oil filler and 4 into 1 inconel exhaust system. there is plenty of headroom for tall pilots will need a torch if you want to check the patents with Eurocopter. 24 KiwiFlyer Issue 20 January / February 2012 www.kiwiflyer.co.nz Our targeted free circulation to all aircraft owners and the aviation industry ensures that advertising in KiwiFlyer Gets Results.