HELI-EXPO 2015, Orlando, FL., March 03, 2015 – Guidance Aviation has confirmed the purchase of the company’s first Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, Serial No. 1099. The original purchase agreement was forged between Bruno Guimbal and John Stonecipher, CEO, Guidance Aviation at HELI-EXPO 2014 pending the FAA’s issuance of the U.S. Standard Category Airworthiness Certificate. The confirmation comes the same week the Cabri G2 received FAA certification.
“The G2 with its composite fuselage and rotor blades and fully articulated main rotor system bring unique developments to the helicopter flight training market. We are excited to add the Guimbal Cabri G2 to our growing fleet of 23 aircraft,” states John Stonecipher, CEO, Guidance Aviation.
Bruno Guimbal stated, “We are very much looking forward to success in the US market in the wake of our growing success in 23 other countries. It is a great satisfaction and proud moment for us to have gained the trust and business of Guidance Aviation, a leader in the U.S. helicopter flight training market. We need the experience and professionalism of leading institutions like Guidance Aviation to help build our reputation of safety and profitability in the helicopter industry.”
Bruno Guimbal, a former Eurocopter engineer, designed the G2 as a two seat light helicopter with a three blade fully articulated main rotor and a Fenestron-type tail rotor. The G2 is powered by a Lycoming 0-360 and first flew in March 2005.
In 2007, the Cabri G2 was awarded the EASA Type Certificate and the first production rotorcraft was delivered in France. With the 100th G2 in its final production stages in France, the G2 is now flying in Australia, China, Europe, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, Vietnam, and the United States. The worldwide fleet has logged over 50,000 flight hours with no injury.
Guidance Aviation is an FAA approved Part 141 helicopter flight training institution with flight operations in Prescott, Arizona and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Through their collegiate partner programs, graduates earn both their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Aviation Technology – Helicopters, and the necessary FAA certificates and ratings (CFI-I) to become working, professional helicopter pilots. The institution was recognized as the nation’s top business by the United States Small Business Administration in 2013, Washington, D.C. for its financial strength and philanthropy. Guidance Aviation is a military friendly organization. The majority of both its employees and students are U.S. Military Veterans.
