<p>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 <em>Air &amp; Cosmos</em> 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 <strong>AIN</strong> 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 <strong>AIN</strong>’s daily editions at international airshows such as the Paris, Farnborough, Dubai and Singapore shows, as well as at EBACE in Geneva.</p>
<p>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."</p>
<p>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.</p>


Writer

Thierry Dubois

<p>[Updated 7/22/14 to clarify some points.]</p>
<p>Unlike its sister ship the EC225, the EC175’s main gearbox has no backup lubrication system, which could present a problem should it experience a total loss of oil. To compensate for this, its components have been designed to withstand the absence of lubricant for a limited period of time. Airbus Helicopters so far has certified a 15-minute dry-run capability (which involved a 30-minute demonstration). Further tests are scheduled for 2015 in a bid to increase the certified duration to at least 30 minutes.</p>
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<div class="comment_title"><a class="permalink" href="http://www.ainonline.com/comment/10946#comment-10946" rel="bookmark">CLARIFICATION 7/22/14: EC175 MAIN GEARBOX FEATURES NEW RUN-DRY DESIGN</a></div>
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<p>On the <span class="caps">EC</span>175, Airbus Helicopters engineers have designed the main gearbox so that its components can withstand the effects of complete loss of lubricant without an emergency lubrication system. The manufacturer said it has demonstrated dry-run capability of 30 minutes so far, in line with airworthiness&nbsp;requirements.</p>
<p>Under a newly introduced rule, a safety factor between the run time actually demonstrated in bench testing and the time limit shown in the aircraft flight manual has been applied, an <span class="caps">EASA</span> expert told <strong><span class="caps">AIN</span></strong>. A 30-minute demonstration on a test bench has therefore earned the following wording in the flight manual: “Land as soon as possible. Maximum flight time: 15 minutes. Note: Main gearbox loss of oil capabilities have been demonstrated on a bench test (<span class="caps">AEO</span> condition, <span class="caps">IAS</span> = Vy) for 30&nbsp;minutes.”</p>
<p>Airbus plans to conduct more tests next year to extend the flight-manual run-dry time&nbsp;limitation.</p>
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