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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 through insurance and hangarage to the realistic all-in helicopter price per hour. 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)
€260 – €340 / h
Fuel + maintenance + reserves

The number you pay every time the rotor turns — independent of how many hours you fly per year.

All-in cost per hour @ 120 h/yr
€400 – €520 / h
DOC + amortised fixed costs

Realistic total ownership cost per flight hour for a private owner flying around 120 hours a year.

All-in cost per hour @ 300 h/yr
€320 – €400 / h
Rental / school utilisation

At higher utilisation the fixed costs get spread thinner, which is why rental and school operators can quote sharper hourly rates.

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.
€55 – €70 / h
Scheduled maintenance
50-hour and 100-hour inspections, oil, filters, minor consumables. Amortised over annual utilisation.
€60 – €80 / h
Engine reserve (TBO 2,200 h)
Provision for the Lycoming O-360 overhaul at 2,200 flight hours.
€35 – €45 / h
Rotor & drivetrain reserve
Main rotor blades on-condition; tail rotor, gearboxes and dampers reserved per manufacturer schedule.
€55 – €70 / h
Airframe reserve
The Cabri airframe is certified with no time/hours limit — unique in its class. There are just few part, whose needs to be overhauled.
€25 – €35 / h
Oil, lubricants, consumables
Engine oil, hydraulic fluid, cleaning products, minor hardware.
€8 – €12 / 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.
€9,000 – €14,000 / year
Annual airworthiness review
Part-CAO/CAMO oversight plus the annual review flight and paperwork.
€1,500 – €2,500 / year
Hangarage
Central-European hangar rates. Outdoor tie-down is cheaper but shortens paint and canopy life.
€3,000 – €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.

Guimbal Cabri G2 in flight

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 you set aside so that engine, rotor and airframe overhauls do not become surprise capital expenses. They are not cash you spend each flight — they are an accounting entry that keeps ownership solvent when the big 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