Guimbal Cabri G2 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Guimbal Cabri G2

Guimbal Cabri G2 seen here in Paris.
Role	Light helicopter
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Guimbal
First flight	1992
Status	Active
Unit cost	284 000 euros.

The Guimbal Cabri G2 is a small, two-seat helicopter made in France. It's mostly used to teach new pilots how to fly. It can also be used for short trips, carrying one passenger and the pilot. This helicopter is known for being very safe and easy to learn on.

Meet the Cabri G2 Helicopter
- Why is it Used for Training?
  - Safety First Design
- The Fenestron Tail
How the Cabri G2 Flies
- Performance and Use
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Meet the Cabri G2 Helicopter

The Guimbal Cabri G2 was designed by Bruno Guimbal, a French engineer. He wanted to create a modern, safe, and affordable helicopter for training and private use. The first Cabri G2 flew in 1992, but it took some more years for it to be ready for everyone to buy. Today, it's a popular choice for flight schools around the world.

Why is it Used for Training?

The Cabri G2 is perfect for teaching new pilots because it's designed to be very forgiving. This means it's easier to control and less likely to get into trouble if a new pilot makes a small mistake. It also has special features that make it safer than many older training helicopters.

Safety First Design

One of the most important things about the Cabri G2 is its focus on safety.

Strong Materials: It's built with modern composite materials, which are very strong but also light. This helps the helicopter survive impacts better.
Crash-Resistant Fuel Tank: The fuel tank is designed to not break open easily in a crash. This helps prevent fires, which is a big safety improvement.
Energy-Absorbing Seats: The seats are made to absorb energy during a hard landing. This protects the pilot and passenger from injuries.

The Fenestron Tail

The Cabri G2 has a special tail rotor called a Fenestron. Instead of an open propeller at the back, the Fenestron is a fan built inside the tail of the helicopter.

Safer: Because the blades are inside a shroud, it's much safer for people on the ground. You can't accidentally walk into the spinning blades.
Quieter: It also makes the helicopter a bit quieter than those with traditional tail rotors.
More Efficient: The Fenestron design can be more efficient in certain flight conditions.

How the Cabri G2 Flies

The Cabri G2 is powered by a single piston engine, similar to the engine you might find in a car, but specially designed for aircraft. This engine spins the main rotor blades, which lift the helicopter into the air. The tail rotor (Fenestron) helps control the helicopter's direction and stops it from spinning around.

Performance and Use

This helicopter can fly at speeds of about 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour). It can also fly for a few hours on a single tank of fuel, making it good for local flights and training exercises. While it's small, it's very capable and can handle different weather conditions, which is important for flight schools.