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 Avicopter AC352 medium-twin helicopter (previously known as the Z15, the Chinese version of the jointly developed Eurocopter EC175) is now expected to make its maiden flight in the second half of this year in China, according to Europe- and Asia-based industry sources. Entry into service is then expected late next year or early 2016. <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2011-06-26/chinese-medium-twin-be-certified-2014">Certification had previously been planned for this year.</a>


The delay is attributable mainly to the engine change, one source explained. The AC352 will use the <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2013-12-05/chinese-civil-helos-turboshaft-engine-makes-first-run">Turbomeca/Avic Engine Ardiden 3C/WZ16</a> in place of the Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6C-67Es that power the EC175, which first flew in 2009 and is now close to EASA certification. Airbus Helicopters (née Eurocopter) and Avicopter have shared the EC175/AC352 program 50-50, the latter company holding responsibility for the fuselage, among other subassemblies. However, certification efforts, customer support networks and marketing areas are distinct.


Airbus Helicopters and Avicopter have agreed that the AC352 can be sold only in China and a small number of countries close to China where Airbus would be unlikely to sell any EC175s, one of the sources told AIN.

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