MRO & Manufacturing
Hélicoptères Guimbal Launches GrandCabri G5 Five-Seat Turbine Helicopter
Hélicoptères Guimbal announces the GrandCabri G5, a five-seat turbine helicopter powered by Safran’s Arrius 2D engine, targeting service before 2030.
On March 10, 2026, the light helicopter market witnessed a major disruption at the Verticon 2026 expo in Atlanta, Georgia. According to reporting by Helis.com and multiple aviation outlets, French rotorcraft manufacturer Hélicoptères Guimbal officially announced the full-scale development of the GrandCabri G5. This all-new, five-seat, turbine-powered Helicopters is engineered to bridge the gap between the company’s highly successful two-seat Cabri G2 piston trainer and heavier single-engine turbine models.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for Hélicoptères Guimbal, a company that has spent the last 15 years building a formidable reputation in the training sector. Industry reports indicate that the GrandCabri G5 has been under secret development for several years. By keeping the project under wraps, the Manufacturers was able to refine its engineering approach and secure critical supply chain partnerships before making a public debut.
Powered exclusively by a new Safran Arrius 2D engine, the G5 aims to redefine the entry-level turbine market. According to comprehensive industry research, the aircraft promises multi-mission versatility, modern safety features, and a spacious cabin, positioning it as a direct competitor to established light turbines and a spiritual successor to retired legacy platforms.
The GrandCabri G5 heavily leverages the engineering foundation of its predecessor. According to Helis.com, the new aircraft retains the core “Cabri DNA,” which includes a crashworthy structure, composite rotor blades, and a shrouded Fenestron® tail rotor for enhanced safety and noise reduction. However, the G5 introduces a four-blade main rotor system, an upgrade from the G2’s three-blade design, aimed at providing a smoother ride and reduced acoustic footprint.
Cabin versatility is a primary focus of the G5’s design. Aviation Week and other industry sources report that the cabin shares the exact height (1.25 meters) and length (2.30 meters) of the retired Airbus H120. To maximize this interior volume, Guimbal engineers intentionally designed highly compact engine and gearbox installations. The aircraft will be offered in multiple configurations, including a high-density five-seat layout and a more spacious four-seat arrangement optimized for VIP transport, law enforcement, or military light observation.
For its first foray into turbine-powered helicopters, Hélicoptères Guimbal has secured an exclusive Partnerships with Safran Helicopter Engines. A press release from Safran confirms that the G5 will be powered by the Arrius 2D, a new 450 shaft horsepower (shp) variant of the proven Arrius 2 family. This engine is equipped with a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, which significantly reduces pilot workload during critical flight phases.
According to Safran’s official specifications, the Arrius 2D will enter service with a mature Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of 3,000 hours. The Arrius engine family boasts over 14 million flight hours across 4,400 delivered units, providing the G5 with a highly reliable Propulsion system from day one. “With the Arrius engine, Guimbal has chosen a proven and reliable propulsion solution…”
The strategic positioning of the GrandCabri G5 is closely tied to historical shifts in the light helicopter market. According to Vertical Mag, the G5 is designed to fill the void left by the Airbus H120 (formerly the Eurocopter EC120), a popular five-seat light helicopter that ceased production in 2017. Notably, Hélicoptères Guimbal founder Bruno Guimbal previously served as the deputy chief engineer on the EC120 program, bringing direct experience to this new endeavor.
Guimbal reportedly envisions the G5 as a “mini H125,” aiming to emulate the high-altitude performance and versatility of the industry-standard Airbus AStar, but at a significantly reduced operating cost. In this space, the G5 will compete directly against the Robinson R66, the Bell 505, and emerging clean-sheet designs like the Hill HX50.
“By listening closely to our customers worldwide, we identified a strong demand for a modern, versatile, and powerful multi-bladed helicopter…”
In a move that bolsters the G5 program’s viability, Airbus Helicopters has taken an undisclosed minority stake in Hélicoptères Guimbal. According to RotorHub International, Bruno Guimbal emphasized that this investment does not alter his company’s independence or corporate governance. Instead, the partnership secures the supply chain for Airbus’s VSR700 naval drone, which is based on the existing Cabri G2 platform and is currently entering serial production.
For Airbus, the G5 serves as a complementary entry-point aircraft that feeds into its heavier civil and military lineup, without requiring Airbus to develop a clean-sheet light single-engine helicopter internally.
“We trust their ability to develop a safe and efficient helicopter.”
Despite the high-profile unveiling at Verticon 2026, Hélicoptères Guimbal has deliberately avoided publishing a strict timeline for the G5’s first flight or European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. According to Flight Global, Bruno Guimbal expressed a strong preference for prioritizing engineering integrity and company independence over arbitrary market deadlines. However, consensus among industry sources suggests that the manufacturer is targeting an entry into service before the end of the decade.
The company’s cautious approach is backed by its historical success. The two-seat Cabri G2, certified by EASA in 2007, has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across 400 delivered airframes in 40 countries, according to historical data cited by aviation analysts. Guimbal intends to leverage this proven track record to ensure the G5 meets the same rigorous safety and operational standards.
We view the launch of the GrandCabri G5 as a highly calculated and disruptive move within the light turbine sector. By securing a mature, 3,000-hour TBO powerplant from Safran and leveraging the proven crashworthy architecture of the G2, Hélicoptères Guimbal is effectively mitigating the highest risks associated with clean-sheet rotorcraft development. Furthermore, the minority investment from Airbus provides crucial financial and supply-chain stability. While the lack of a firm certification timeline may frustrate eager buyers, Guimbal’s methodical, engineering-first approach is likely to yield a highly refined aircraft capable of genuinely challenging the market dominance of the Bell 505 and Robinson R66.
The GrandCabri G5 is powered exclusively by the Safran Arrius 2D, a new 450 shaft horsepower turbine engine equipped with a dual-channel FADEC system. The helicopter is designed to accommodate up to five people in a high-density layout, or it can be configured for four seats to provide more space for VIP or specialized mission transport.
Hélicoptères Guimbal has not released a strict timeline for certification or first flight, prioritizing engineering quality over rushed deadlines. However, industry estimates project an entry into service before 2030.
Sources:
Design and Specifications of the GrandCabri G5
Engineering Heritage and Cabin Layout
The Safran Arrius 2D Powerplant
Market Positioning and Strategic Partnerships
Filling the Void Left by the H120
Airbus Secures a Minority Stake
Timeline and Future Outlook
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What engine powers the GrandCabri G5?
How many passengers can the GrandCabri G5 carry?
When will the GrandCabri G5 be available for purchase?
Photo Credit: Guimbal