Boosts Allowed Output To 160 Horsepower

The FAA has approved Service Bulletin 17-009 for the Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 that allows the pilot to use additional horsepower from the aircraft’s Lycoming 0360-J2A engine. Previously the allowed power had been 145 horsepower. The new rating allows the pilot to utilize 160 horsepower without any negative implications to operating costs or additional inspections.

Operators, mostly flight schools in the U.S., have anxiously been awaiting this approval. “The Cabri has been a safe and reliable training platform for our school," said Chris Bailey of Midwest Helicopters which operates four Cabris with additional aircraft to be added to the fleet in 2018. "With the new bulletin, the additional power will further enhance the margins of safety we've come to rely on.”

The power increase is realized by downloading new software in the the aircraft's EPM.

Guimbal’s USA distributor, Precision Helicopters will soon be closing out with their best year of Cabri G2 sales thus far.  “Bruno Guimbal just keeps making the already impressive aircraft better. Needless to say, we are very happy with this new feature,” says David Rath, Precision’s Managing Director.

The Cabri G2 now has nearly 140,000 flight hours on the fleet worldwide. The 200th aircraft was delivered this year and aircraft number 215 is in production now. Over 10% of the fleet has made their way to the U.S. since its certification by the FAA in 2015. The aircraft remains arguably the safest small helicopter despite the aircraft predominantly being used in the strenuous training environments, the company said in a news release.

(Image provided by Helicopteres Guimbal)

FMI: www.flyprecision.com, www.guimbal.com