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

Airbus Helicopters received EASA certification for its upgraded EC135T3/P3 light twin, a model that was announced at Heli-Expo last year. Powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 Plus (T3) or Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PW206B3 (P3) turboshafts, the new version of the EC135 offers 440 pounds more payload in hot-and-high conditions.

 


Compared with the previous version, it also performs better at sea level, allowing up to 150 pounds more payload, according to the manufacturer. Notable technical improvements include a larger main rotor for more lift and lateral air inlets for greater efficiency. The cockpit has a Garmin GTN 750 avionics suite. Previous EC135 variants, 1,200 of which are in service worldwide, can be retrofitted to the new T3/P3 standard.

 


Meanwhile, the EC225e is in flight-test, an Airbus Helicopters spokesperson confirmed to AIN. Thanks to more powerful Makila 2B engines, the upgraded medium twin will offer a 300-nm radius of action with 10 passengers. The first EC225e delivery is planned for mid-2016, and lessor LCI is the launch customer.

New Airbus EC135 Version Gets EASA Nod, EC225e Flies

EC135T3/P3 to offer more payload; EC225e designed for longer-range missions.

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