Thierry Dubois is a freelance writer specializing in helicopters, business aviation and aerospace technology. He earned a degree in fluid dynamics from an engineering school in Toulouse, France in the mid-1990s. At an unexpected crossroads, he found his first job in journalism. In 1997, he started working for French aerospace weekly Air &amp; Cosmos in Paris. This lasted until 2000, when he moved south to Lyons. He then became a freelancer, working for various aerospace publications and has been part of the AIN team since late 2000. In addition to writing about business aviation, Thierry shares responsibility for the rotorcraft section. He also is a regular on-site writer for AIN’s daily editions at international airshows such as the Paris, Farnborough, Dubai and Singapore shows, as well as at EBACE in Geneva.
In 2007, he won the Honeywell award for “Best systems or technology submission” at the Aerospace journalist of the year awards. In 2013, he won an Aerospace Media Award for the "Best Safety, Training &amp; Simulation Submission."
In other activities, Thierry moderates international conferences on aviation technology topics. Thierry is married and has three children, who seem to begin enjoying the mountains–as their parents do.

Writer

Thierry Dubois

Sikorsky is readying its X2 compound helicopter demonstrator for first flight in late 2007 or early 2008, the U.S. manufacturer announced here at the Paris Air Show. The hybrid design, which looks like a helicopter with two contrarotating coaxial main rotors and one tail propulsor, already had its fly-by-wire system tested in a small Schweizer 333 helicopter. The actual X2 has undergone engine and drive train ground tests.
According to Sikorsky, X2 technology should yield aircraft that retain helicopter capabilities while flying faster and longer. The manufacturer is talking about 250 knots and 500 nautical miles. To attain higher airspeeds, the aft propulsor provides forward thrust while the control system automatically slows down the main rotors to keep blade tips subsonic. Compared to a tiltrotor, the X2 will fly slower but does not need an in-flight reconfiguration.
Hi-tech Sikorsky emphasized that the demonstrator features several advanced technologies. For example, its main rotor blade provides more lift but without additional drag. Similarly, the rotor hub has been designed to have lower drag than other helicopters with contrarotating main rotor systems. An integrated propulsion system controls the way the main rotor and the propulsor share power. Finally, the X2 has active vibration control.
Here at the show, Sergei Sikorsky–Igor’s son–is presenting “Recollections of a pioneer” several times this week at the UTC/Sikorsky chalet. It includes a number of glimpses of the company founder’s career. Igor built the first four-engine air transport while working in Czarist Russia and then a series of flying boats after coming to the U.S. As a young man, in Kiev, he had tried to build a helicopter and failed. The first presentation took place on Monday, the second is planned for today at 2 p.m. and the final one is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Sikorsky X2 nears flight-testing

Sikorsky is readying its X2 compound helicopter demonstrator for first flight in late 2007 or early 2008, the U.S.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN