EBG Helicopters, based at Redhill Aerodrome just south of London, are preparing to welcome the Guimbal Cabri in to their fleet. Slated for delivery in January 2014, Managing Director Ken Faria was very positive about the helicopter type when he spoke with HeliHub.com. Faria spent an appreciable amount of “due diligence” time talking to current operators and maintenance companies involved in the Cabri before deciding to lease in the composite two-seat helicopter from UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre. His decision was prompted by a combination of factors based on the R22, particularly that its flight characteristics are “too twitchy” and that the manufacturer has no plans to develop it further. The quantum leap in both technology and construction of the Cabri helped Faria decide, as well as its stability on the 35+ knot day he took a demo flight with Cotswold.

EBG currently flies two Robinson R22s, two R44s, two Eurocopter EC120s and one EC130. One of the R22s is expected to return to its owner as the Cabri comes on stream early in the new year. EBG is expecting to fly 400-500 hours on the Cabri in 2014, a little ahead of the utilisation they get out of the R44s, which fly 800 hours between them.

The company is holding a BBQ this Sunday 22nd September at Redhill for helicopter pilots, and UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre will be taking their demonstrator aircraft to the event.

EBG focuses on training to the private licence PPL(H) standard – they do not have aspirations for CPL(H) licences at this time – and also carry out some charter work and tour flights around London. Faria originally formed the company in December 1999 with Hughes 300s, but the evolution of time, a change in business partners and the sale of his office supplies business has seen the Redhill-based operator continue a steady-but-sure expansion.

Web – http://www.ebghelicopters.co.uk/

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com