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

The Eurocopter EC175 medium twin helicopter is making progress toward certification, with its engine type now approved and more performance numbers released.


Transport Canada has just certified Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada’s PT6C-67E turboshaft, the engine manufacturer announced this week. “We can now transition from development to production as we prepare for the first delivery of the EC175,” marketing v-p Richard Dussault said. The 1,775-shp PT6C variant features a dual-channel Fadec.


Meanwhile, the airframer has revealed the precise maximum takeoff weight for the helicopter–16,535 pounds, for a useful load of 7,271 pounds. The radius of action, for two pilots and up to 18 passengers, is given as 135 nm (oil and gas configuration, JAR OPS 3, fuel reserves 30 minutes plus 10-percent contingency fuel, ISA conditions). AIN understands the cruise speed will be close to 140 knots.


Two prototypes have flown since the beginning of the test program in 2009, and aircraft certification is expected late this year. The helicopter is a joint program with China’s Avicopter.

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

Eurocopter EC175 Zeroes In on Certification

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Powercor deploys Bell 407GXi rotorcraft in Australia

Aerial Inspections Make the Difference in Fighting Bushfires

Matt Thurber

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic 

Los Angeles Police Dept Puts VR Simulator to Work

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Hanneke Weitering

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Contender to replace the branch's Airbus UH-72 Lakota trainers

Robinson Reveals R66 for Army Helicopter Training

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Universal Vulkaan Aviation has now ordered seven VIP helicopters

Leonardo’s Indian Distributor UVA Orders Two AW169s

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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