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 EASA and FAA have issued new emergency Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for the Eurocopter EC135 after detection of cracks on the lower hub-shaft flange of two more of the light twins. The ADs require repetitive preflight inspections.


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2012-03-15/easa-calls-ec135-hub-shaft-flange-inspections">The EASA issued a similar emergency AD in March</a>, after a crack was discovered on one helicopter, but the initial inspection procedure proved inadequate. Identifying deformed safety pins may not be enough, the EASA said. Therefore, pre-flight visual inspections of “the main rotor blades attachment area in the upper and lower hub-shaft flanges” are required. Also required is “visual inspection on the upper and lower hub-shaft flanges and the blade bolt area.” The main rotor hub might have to be replaced. No more than six hours should be flown between two pre-flight inspections.


The purpose of the initial and new ADs is to avoid crack propagation, which could cause hub failure. Any finding must be reported to Eurocopter. The investigation is ongoing and further ADs may follow. –T.D.

EASA, FAA Issue Further Emergency ADs for Eurocopter EC135

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