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

Rescue organization DRF Luftrettung of Germany ordered 25 Eurocopter EC145 T2 light twins in November, thus becoming the largest customer for the new type. The contract is valued at €200 million ($270 million).


The aircraft will replace the DRF Luftrettung's BK-117s. The first five red and white EC145 T2s will be delivered between December 2013 and late 2015. The remaining 20 helicopters are to be handed over in phases throughout 2022.


The DRF Luftrettung, headquartered in Filderstadt, has 31 helicopter stations in Germany, Austria and Denmark. Eight of the stations provide 24-hour service. The helicopters are used for emergency rescue and carrying intensive-care patients between hospitals. The crews consist of pilots, emergency physicians and rescue assistants. In 2010, the non-profit organization flew 36,900 missions.


According to Dr. Hans Jörg Eyrich, member of the DRF Luftrettung's board, the EC 145 T2's shrouded tail rotor provides “a further measure of safety, particularly in night missions.” Among other features, the improved EC145 version has a four-axis autopilot and fadec-controled engines. The DRF already operates several types of Eurocopter helicopters, including EC135s and EC145s.

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

DRF Luftrettung orders 25 EC145 T2s

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