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.

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Thierry Dubois

The <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2010-11-11/chinese-light-turbine-helicopter-achieves-first-flight">Avicopter AC311</a> light single-engine utility helicopter had its type certification “recommended” under China’s approval procedures last month. The Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC) type certification examination committee recommended issuance of the type certificate in a meeting held on May 4 in Beijing. Attending were Yan Shijun, deputy director of the airworthiness department, Dan Jingmin, a researcher at the Ministry of Industry, and Avic Helicopters manager Chang Fei.


Review of the engineering data was completed on April 28. On April 1, the certification flight program was completed after pilots from the CAAC’s airworthiness department had flown 14 sorties totaling 13 hours. The AC311 first flew in 2010 in Tianjin, where Avicopter has its headquarters. The aircraft has an mtow of 4,850 pounds. Capable of carrying six people, it can be powered by either a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 or a WZ8D, a local license-produced Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A. The new helicopter is also said to feature “highly integrated” avionics. Avicopter is a joint venture between airframer Avic and the Tianjin municipal government.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Chinese Certification of Avicopter AC311 Imminent

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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