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

For many, the name Le Bourget is forever linked to one event, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Back in 1927, a young airmail pilot named Charles Lindbergh captivated the world when he flew his Spirit of St. Louis nonstop from New York and landed at Le Bourget.
The airport is home to one of the world’s most extensive collection of historic aircraft. More than 350 types are on display at Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace.
At Le Bourget since 1974, the French air and space museum is dedicated to preserving aviation’s heritage. France has a rich aerospace history and the museum displays artifacts and aircraft from the earliest days of manned flight all the way through to the present. Aircraft from many nations are featured in the museum’s vast collection, which reflects the international spirit of the Paris Air Show.
Aviation history enthusiasts, in this 100th anniversary year of the first helicopter takeoffs, can find surprising rotorcraft here. In the “early ages” gallery there is a spring-powered pair of contrarotating rotors, made in 1796 by UK citizen George Cayley, who was inspired by French researchers Launay and Bienvenu. In 1784 they designed what looks like a bow with an attached arrow. One four-blade rotor is attached to the bow. The other one is attached to the far end of the arrow. Rotors are actuated when the arrow and the bow spin in opposite directions. The small aircraft is powered by a spring that can be manually wound up by turning the arrow.
If you look at the ceiling in the Saint Exupéry hall, you will see a C8-II autogiro designed by Juan de La Cierva in 1928. The Spanish pioneer took an Avro 504N and replaced the upper wing with a 39-foot free rotor. Fitted with a 200-hp engine, it flew at speeds up to 90 knots. La Cierva was the first to cross the Channel on a rotorcraft.
Another unusual bird is a Sud-Est 3.101 helicopter with two tail rotors. It was built from German components and took off for the first time 59 years ago, in June 1948. At the time, it could only lift off thanks to a very light pilot–Jean Boulet. After numerous technical issues, it was determined that the twin tail rotor design was inadequate and the experimental program was halted.
The museum can be easily spotted thanks to the soaring display of three Fouga Magisters at the front and the Ariane rocket and the Boeing 747 landmarks on the static display behind. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Showgoers can enter the museum for an additional €4.

Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace is a treasure chest of aerial jewels

For many, the name Le Bourget is forever linked to one event, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

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