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A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
Bruno Guimbal developed the Cabri after working in the helicopter industry. Its first demonstrator flew in 1992, and commercial service began in 2008. The production aircraft has a side-by-side two-seat cabin, a three-bladed main rotor and an enclosed tail rotor.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗An instructor gets a reminder of being a student
Gilbert had learned in Robinsons, owned them and continued to enjoy flying them. The Cabri’s design nevertheless attracted him, and an hour at Elstree finally let him explore it. His main concern was adapting to a rotor turning the opposite way from those he knew. In flight, familiar habits repeatedly demanded conscious correction. The tour of Hertfordshire became easier once he stopped searching for instruments in their usual places and concentrated on the view outside.
Personal account · February 2017. One-hour Cabri introduction at Elstree with instructor Paul, after extensive Robinson flying.
TimGilbert.com · Read more ↗Cockpit help received attention in Sim Update 3
The August 2025 update corrected the transponder tooltip to display its code and restored missing checklist highlights. Microsoft also records cockpit-texture and livery corrections. The notes provide a dated reference for these interactions in the bundled MSFS 2024 Cabri.
Cabri G2 · MSFS 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube P Gatcomb
MSFS - Flying the Guimbal Cabri G2
A simulator walkthrough from startup to shutdown.
Guimbal Cabri G2; MSFS 2020
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Meet Guimbal Cabri G2
Bruno Guimbal developed the Cabri after working in the helicopter industry. Its first demonstrator flew in 1992, and commercial service began in 2008. The production aircraft has a side-by-side two-seat cabin, a three-bladed main rotor and an enclosed tail rotor.
The Cabri serves the light training role also associated with the Robinson R22. Its rotor, airframe, controls and systems are Guimbal's own design.
Guimbal Cabri G2
Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
An established European design arrives in North America
Precision worked with Guimbal through the FAA certification process completed in February 2015. Head’s visit describes the Oregon operator then putting Cabris into training, adding a North American chapter to a type already used overseas.
Vertical · Meet the Cabri ↗Contemporary operator and programme history
A new trainer attracts pilots from older types
Gilbert’s account illustrates the Cabri’s appeal to pilots already invested in Robinson aircraft. Its cabin finish and modern presentation first caught his attention; flying it then made the transition a matter of learning new habits as well as comparing equipment.
TimGilbert.com · Tim Gilbert flies the Cabri G2 ↗One owner and instructor’s perspective on adopting the type
Development milestones
Designer: Bruno Guimbal
First flight: 31 March 2005
Wikipedia contributors · Guimbal Cabri G2 ↗Guimbal Cabri G2 · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1366423799
Pilot accounts
An instructor gets a reminder of being a student
Gilbert had learned in Robinsons, owned them and continued to enjoy flying them. The Cabri’s design nevertheless attracted him, and an hour at Elstree finally let him explore it. His main concern was adapting to a rotor turning the opposite way from those he knew. In flight, familiar habits repeatedly demanded conscious correction.
The tour of Hertfordshire became easier once he stopped searching for instruments in their usual places and concentrated on the view outside. Hovering on return was a further challenge, requiring time to adjust his inputs. Gilbert found the experience humbling in a useful way: as an instructor, he was reminded how it felt to be a beginner. He finished the flight keen to train further on the type, with enthusiasm shaped by the learning still ahead.
Personal account · February 2017. One-hour Cabri introduction at Elstree with instructor Paul, after extensive Robinson flying.
Read the full account · TimGilbert.com ↗Enjoyable utility flying, with ownership details that mattered
Bates moved into the Cabri after more than a year flying the MD500. Its cockpit and starting routine took some learning, but he found the cabin comfortable and the helicopter enjoyable to fly. The control feel reminded him of the larger machine, while the compact airframe suited the smaller landing sites involved in his work.
Operating experience also exposed frustrations that a short demonstration might miss. He reported unreliable fuel indications, corrosion concerns in the coastal environment and difficulty obtaining some parts at the time. These observations concerned an early aircraft, and he acknowledged that later examples might differ.
Real-aircraft operating account · HeliSimmer.com, June 2016. Bates describes early-production aircraft number 36 and coastal use; this is not a simulator review.
Read the full account · HeliSimmer.com ↗A first introduction at an Oregon training school
The Cabri’s panel and finish made such a modern impression on Head that the sound of its piston engine briefly surprised her. She had subconsciously expected a turbine. At Precision Helicopters in Oregon, Nigel Cooper introduced her to the aircraft as the school began using the new arrival in North American training.
Once flying, the heavy controls required more effort than the cockpit’s resemblance to larger Airbus helicopters had suggested. Head kept her own evaluation conservative, then watched Cooper demonstrate manoeuvres that drew on his greater familiarity with the type. She enjoyed the flight while recognising that she would need more time to feel proficient.
Vertical · February 2016. October demonstration at Precision Helicopters, Newberg, with director of training Nigel Cooper; earlier 145 hp configuration.
Read the full account · Vertical ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024Cabri G2
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Cabri G2
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020Cabri G2
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Cabri G2
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12Cabri G2
VSKYLABS · Released
Cabri G2
VSKYLABS · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 6.31 m (20 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 2.37 m (7 ft 9 in) |
| Gross weight | 700 kg (1,543 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Lycoming O-360 -J2A piston engine , 108 kW (145 hp) |
| Main rotor diameter | 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) |
| Maximum speed | 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn) |
| Cruise speed | 166 km/h (104 mph, 90 kn) |
| Range | 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 3,963 m (13,000 ft) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Cockpit help received attention in Sim Update 3Cabri G2 · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The August 2025 update corrected the transponder tooltip to display its code and restored missing checklist highlights. Microsoft also records cockpit-texture and livery corrections. The notes provide a dated reference for these interactions in the bundled MSFS 2024 Cabri.
MSFS 2024 Sim Update 3 · 1.5.27.0, 20 August 2025
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read the source ↗Part of MSFS 2020’s introduction of helicoptersCabri G2 · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
Microsoft named the Cabri G2 and Bell 407 in its 40th Anniversary Edition announcement, alongside the new helicopter fluid-dynamics simulation. These bundled aircraft share that platform introduction, while retaining different cockpits and aircraft configurations.
Microsoft announcement · June 2022; published fleet confirms their subsequent inclusion
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read the source ↗Released product and variantsCabri G2 · VSKYLABS · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
The Cabri G2 product uses a native X-Plane aircraft model and supports desktop and VR cockpits. The developer identifies its BC Helicopters liveries and the project’s independent relationship to Guimbal.
Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14
VSKYLABS · Read the source ↗Pilot account
An instructor gets a reminder of being a studentPersonal account · February 2017. One-hour Cabri introduction at Elstree with instructor Paul, after extensive Robinson flying.
Gilbert had learned in Robinsons, owned them and continued to enjoy flying them. The Cabri’s design nevertheless attracted him, and an hour at Elstree finally let him explore it. His main concern was adapting to a rotor turning the opposite way from those he knew. In flight, familiar habits repeatedly demanded conscious correction. The tour of Hertfordshire became easier once he stopped searching for instruments in their usual places and concentrated on the view outside.
Tim Gilbert
TimGilbert.com · Read the source ↗Enjoyable utility flying, with ownership details that matteredReal-aircraft operating account · HeliSimmer.com, June 2016. Bates describes early-production aircraft number 36 and coastal use; this is not a simulator review.
Bates moved into the Cabri after more than a year flying the MD500. Its cockpit and starting routine took some learning, but he found the cabin comfortable and the helicopter enjoyable to fly. The control feel reminded him of the larger machine, while the compact airframe suited the smaller landing sites involved in his work. Operating experience also exposed frustrations that a short demonstration might miss.
Nick Bates
HeliSimmer.com · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
Guimbal Cabri G2Wikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1366423799 · retrieved 2026-09-12Resource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft MSFS 2020 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftDeveloper documentation
VSKYLABS Guimbal Cabri G2 add-on for X-Plane Flight Simulator.VSKYLABS · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14 VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations Aircraft Center: VSKYLABS Guimbal Cabri G2VSKYLABS · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14 MSFS 2024 Sim Update 3 release notesMicrosoft Flight Simulator · Publisher announcement or release notes Microsoft Flight Simulator’s 40th Anniversary EditionMicrosoft Flight Simulator · Publisher announcement or release notesType designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 2 profile choices
VSKYLABS Guimbal Cabri G2
VSKYLABS · Free and Pro · Revision 4 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS Guimbal Cabri G2: The cyclic response approximates unboosted mechanical controls.
Guimbal Cabri G2
Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
Guimbal Cabri G2: The cyclic response approximates unboosted mechanical controls.
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