The European agency EASA delivered to Helicopteres Guimbal its final approval for the optional installation of an emergency flotation system on their helicopter Cabri G2, on January, 14th 2011.

This success results from significant development efforts, over two years, from the manufacturer and its partner, the world specialist Zodiac Aerazur.

Three flight testing campaigns, including two at sea, and several live deployments were involved to cover the flight envelope.

The Cabri flotation system features a number of exclusive innovations, each of them giving the helicopter operators an operational benefit :

- Its use and deployment are validated in flight throughout the Cabri's flight envelope, up to 130 kts, without any limitation or performance penalty,

- The flotation system is perfectly integrated, and keeps the standard landing gear and nearly the same baggage capacity,

- The floats while folded in their canister can be installed and removed in a few minutes by the pilot alone, without tool,

- The system comprises a purposely designed, high-reliability electronic box which ensures an automatic backup deployment of the floats, trough immersion sensing.

This new equipment opens to the Cabri G2 new markets involving flying over water, where only one competitor exists. It comforts the Cabri in its position of high passive and active-safety helicopter.

The first Cabri equipped with the new system was introduced in service by a private operator based in Monaco.