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

China-based Avicopter announced on November 9 the first flight of its first indigenously developed light single-engine helicopter, the AC311, in Tianjin. The helicopter, the design of which has likely inherited some lines from the light Eurocopter models that parent company Avic has long produced, has an mtow of 4,850 pounds and can carry six people.
It can be powered by either a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 turboshaft or a local design, the WZ-8D. The AC311 is also said to feature "highly integrated" avionics. 
Chinese certification is expected next year, with entry into service slated for 2012. Avicopter officials believe there is a market for 500 helicopters over the next 10 years in China.
Quoted in the Chinese media, Avicopter general manager Wang Bin said that AC311 technology and performance are close to international standards, while reducing acquisition cost by 10 to 15 percent compared with its competitors. Avicopter has already signed contracts for two AC311s with the police forces of Guiyang and the Tianjin Binhai New District. 
Avicopter is a joint venture between China-based airframer Avic and the municipal government of Tianjin, where its factory is located.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Chinese light helo makes first flight

China-based Avicopter announced on November 9 the first flight of its first indigenously developed light single-engine helicopter, the AC311, in Tianjin.

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