What is the hourly operating cost of a Guimbal Cabri G2?

A realistic direct operating cost (DOC) for a privately owned Cabri G2 is roughly €202 – €294 per flight hour, including fuel, oil, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and engine and drivetrain reserves. Fixed annual costs vary by aircraft, location and utilisation and are calculated separately.

How much fuel does a Cabri G2 burn per hour?

The Cabri G2 burns approximately 40–45 litres of AVGAS 100LL per flight hour in the cruise — comparable to or slightly better than a Robinson R22. It is dramatically lower than a Robinson R44 (roughly 55 l/h).

What are the main maintenance intervals on the Cabri G2?

The Cabri airframe is certified with no time/hours limit — unique in its class. There are just few parts that need to be overhauled. The Lycoming O-360 engine has a 2,200 hour TBO. Main rotor blades are on-condition. Scheduled inspections are every 50 and 100 hours; the annual airworthiness review is required regardless of hours flown.

Why is the Cabri G2 cheaper to operate than an R22?

The Cabri G2 has a longer engine TBO (2,200 h vs 2,200 h but at higher power settings on the R22), no fixed airframe life limit (vs 2,200 h on the R22), on-condition rotor blades, and modern avionics. Fuel burn is comparable to or slightly better than the R22. Reserves per flight hour end up roughly 15–25 % lower.

How much does a new Guimbal Cabri G2 cost to buy?

A new Guimbal Cabri G2 with a standard avionics package typically lists between €480,000 and €560,000 depending on options (Garmin package, air conditioning, floats, paint). Used aircraft in good condition trade between €300,000 and €420,000. As the exclusive dealer for the Czech Republic and Slovakia we quote current pricing on request.

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Ownership guide · updated 2026

Guimbal Cabri G2 — operating costs and hourly price

An honest, itemised breakdown of what it actually costs to own and fly a Guimbal Cabri G2 — from fuel and maintenance reserves to insurance and hangarage. Every figure is a 2026 European operator range and reflects our own experience running the largest Cabri G2 fleet in the Czech Republic.

The short answer

Direct operating cost (DOC)

€152 – €195 / h

Fuel + maintenance + reserves

Ranges reflect European private-owner economics in 2026 and depend on AVGAS pricing, insured value, region and annual utilisation.

Direct operating cost

Every flight hour — item by item

Direct operating cost (DOC) is what accrues whenever the rotor is turning. It does not include annual fixed costs — those are covered in the next section. Numbers below assume AVGAS 100LL at typical Central-European pump prices and Guimbal factory maintenance schedules.

Fuel (AVGAS 100LL)

40–45 l/h × current AVGAS pump price. Comparable to a Robinson R22 and roughly half the burn of a Robinson R44 — one of the biggest single savings on the Cabri.

€70 – €90 / h

Scheduled maintenance

Scheduled inspections, filters and routine replacement items, amortised over annual utilisation.

€30 – €40 / h

Engine reserve (TBO 2,500 h)

Provision for the Lycoming O-360 overhaul at 2,500 flight hours.

€17 – €20 / h

Rotor & drivetrain reserve

Main rotor blades on-condition; tail rotor, gearboxes and dampers reserved per manufacturer schedule.

€12 – €14 / h

Unscheduled maintenance

Provision for unexpected repairs, troubleshooting and replacement of components outside scheduled inspections.

€20 – €30 / h

Oil, lubricants, consumables

Engine oil, lubricants, cleaning products and minor consumables.

€3 – €5 / h

Fixed annual costs

What you pay whether you fly or not

Fixed costs are paid annually and are independent of flight hours. To convert them into a per-hour figure, divide by your planned annual utilisation — that is why higher-utilisation operators enjoy sharper hourly economics.

Hull & liability insurance

Owner-flown European rates for a Cabri G2 valued around €450,000. Higher for training/rental use.

€6,000 – €15,000 / year

Annual airworthiness review

Part-CAO/CAMO oversight plus the annual review flight and paperwork.

€1,000 – €2,500 / year

Hangarage

Central-European hangar rates. Outdoor tie-down is cheaper but shortens paint and canopy life.

€2,000 – €6,000 / year

Navigation database & subscriptions

Garmin database updates, ForeFlight/SkyDemon and optional weather subscriptions.

€400 – €900 / year

Why the Cabri G2 is cheaper to run

Modern certification, modern economics

Modern certification, modern reserves

The Cabri G2 was type-certified in 2007 under the latest EASA CS-27 standard — energy-absorbing airframe, crashworthy fuel tank, three-blade rotor. Reserves per flight hour are lower than legacy 1970s designs because the airframe has no fixed hourly life limit and rotor blades are on-condition.

Fenestron tail rotor

The shrouded tail rotor eliminates the single most common cause of ground damage in light helicopters. Fewer tail-strike repairs means lower insurance loss ratios and lower long-term cost of ownership.

Fuel efficiency

40–45 l/h of AVGAS is comparable to a Robinson R22 and dramatically lower than a Robinson R44 (roughly 55 l/h). Fuel is usually the biggest single variable cost, and the Cabri's low burn keeps the DOC down.

Frequently asked

Ownership questions we hear the most

How much does a new Cabri G2 cost to buy?

A new Guimbal Cabri G2 with a standard avionics package typically lists between €480,000 and €560,000 depending on options. Used aircraft in good condition trade between €300,000 and €420,000. As the exclusive dealer for the Czech Republic and Slovakia we quote current pricing on request.

Cabri G2 vs Robinson R22 — which is cheaper per hour?

Sticker rates can look similar, but reserves tell a different story. The Cabri airframe has no time limit (unique in its class) vs 2,200 h on the R22, rotor blades are on-condition, and fuel burn is comparable to the R22. Over a full engine life the Cabri G2 typically works out 15–25 % cheaper per hour.

Can I offset ownership by putting my Cabri on a rental line?

Yes — we operate a managed rental programme for private owners. Utilisation of 150–250 hours a year is realistic and typically covers all fixed costs. Insurance, hangarage and CAMO oversight can all be bundled through our Part-145 base.

What is included in the "reserves" line items?

Reserves are per-hour provisions set aside for the engine and drivetrain, together with an allowance for unscheduled maintenance. They are not cash spent on every flight; they help keep ownership costs predictable when larger invoices arrive.

Do I need a CAMO if I own my own Cabri G2?

Under EASA every EASA-registered aircraft needs continuing airworthiness management — either self-declared (Part-ML CAO) or through a contracted CAMO. We operate an approved Part-CAMO and handle the entire lifecycle for owners who prefer to just fly.

Get a personal cost model

Tell us your planned annual hours, base airfield and insured value — we'll send back a written cost-per-hour model tailored to your operation, including managed-rental scenarios.

Request a cost model Cabri G2 specifications