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

Airbus is here displaying an ACJ business jet (tail number G-NOAH) that recently started commercial operations with Farnborough, UK-based Acropolis Aviation. The bizliner’s luxurious 19-passenger cabin features lounges, a bedroom and a bathroom with a substantial shower. Acropolis Aviation is chartering G-NOAH for $15,000 to $18,000 per hour, depending on the length of the trip.
Yves Pickardt of Alberto Pinto International Interior Design designed the cabin. The Airbus Corporate Jet Center (ACJC) in Toulouse manufactured it. What appears original at first sight is the use of leather–not only on seats but also on parts of the walls and ceiling. Some areas of the cabin can be reconfigured, such as one club seating area that can accommodate an eight-person table for meals. The galley looks like a real kitchen and is U-shaped. The idea is to cook in flight, not simply reheat catered food in the oven. Moreover, the owner of the aircraft wanted to keep the possibility to use the kitchen.
The cabin is equipped with satellite TV and Internet. With a “GSM on board” system, passengers can use their own mobile phones in flight. Cabin temperature, lighting and some in-flight entertainment controls are centralized on touchscreen controls on the walls for flight attendant–as opposed to passenger–use. Cabin soundproofing has been a major focus and noise is thus down to 50 dB, ACJC head of sales and marketing Bruno Galzin told AIN.
Hidden Elements
Less visible are the huge number of stowage drawers and bins. They are useful for storing blankets, cushions, pillows and so on, as the aircraft can sleep 14. Passengers can also use the drawers to stow their own stuff.
“Our first commercial flight took place on April 14, which was when we got our AOC,” Acropolis CEO David Crawshaw told AIN. The operator is planning on flying some 600 hours in its first year. So far the typical load has been “half a dozen” passengers.
The aircraft was first specified to be fitted with five auxiliary fuel tanks, thus allowing for nonstop flights from Europe to the U.S. West Coast. But, according to Crawshaw, it quickly turned out the remaining space for luggage was too small. “This kind of passenger travels with a tremendous amount of luggage,” he said. With three auxiliary fuel tanks now, G-NOAH can fly nonstop to the only eastern U.S., but passengers can take 70 to 80 bags with them.
Typical crew includes two pilots, three flight attendants and one ground support engineer.

New ACJ on display at EBACE features spacious cabin, kitchen, shower

Airbus is here displaying an ACJ business jet (tail number G-NOAH) that recently started commercial operations with Farnborough, UK-based Acropolis Aviatio

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN