Anyone flown a Cabri G2 yet?

[SwissJonese]

As per title - anyone flown a Cabri G2 yet or been in one? I need to renew my R22 type rating this year but thinking of cross training to an R44 or trying out the Cabri G2. I see Cotwolds Helicopters in Kemble have one, but I wanted to do more flying from Swansea as it is a much nicer place to fly (less busy airport and perfect VFR flying), but they only have the R22. Any other South West training airports have a Cabri G2 yet or are planning too?

[Geneve]

The Cabri G2 is getting quite good reviews, although my preference would be the Hughes/Schweizer 269/300 'C' - the 'mini cooper' of helicopters. Both have a proper fully articulated 3-blade rotor head and conventional cyclic - 300 'C' has lots of power and fuel injection. G2 is a more modern design, but for some reason has carb (albeit with auto-heat)

Heli Centre Leicester operate them as well as Cotswold. Few things to get used to - clockwise main rotor and fenistron t/r. Good for training if you were planning to fly a Gazelle or EC120.

Quite a bit on pprune http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/296022-guimbal-ca...

Heard a rumour someone at EGBJ (Gloucs) may be getting one.

[SwissJonese]

Thanks Geneve. I've never flown in a Schweizer 300 but they where very popular in Switzerland where we lived for 6 years. In fact there was only one place at Bern airport where I could fly an R22. The 300's were a popular choice due to like you say a better Heli and the fact I was told they are far quieter (silencers?). Fuchs Helikopter company was around the corner for me, but their landing site was a bit of an eye opener!

[Geneve]

Yes Fuchs operate 300'C's - the main advantage is their performance in the mountains - 2 up, full fuel and a hot day with reserve. R22 can't compete. The mufflers reduce some noise but the main source of helicopter noise is, surprisingly, the tail rotor - although the 300 has a quite nice 'whine'.


Many still regard the AS 'Lama' as the king of the mountains. Bit slow but lots of performance and a lovely turbine soundtrack


However, worth tracking down a Cabri G2 to see if you like it.

PS - If you wanted to fly a 300'C' in S. Wales or the South West speak to Ray Jones (instructor and examiner) m. 07968 951069 / [e-mail] or perhaps Andrew Harvey at http://www.ahhelicopters.co.uk/

Edited by Geneve on Wednesday 12th March 13:14