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

Eurocopter has signed the first customer for the AS332C1e Super Puma, the “low cost” version of the medium twin. Starlite Aviation, an operator based in Ireland and South Africa, will be the first to fly the new, shorter-fuselage variant. Starlite provides passenger and cargo flights and heavy sling-load operations for, among others, United Nations agencies.


The contract is a firm order for two aircraft, scheduled for delivery by year-end, and options on two more. Eurocopter already has three C1es in final assembly at its factory in Marignane, France, and expects the production rate eventually to reach eight per year.


EASA certification is slated for July, followed by FAA approval a couple of months later, business development director Fabrice Arfi told AIN. There is no plan for a military version.


The relatively swift development of the C1e stems from the certification last summer of a longer-fuselage version that introduced the technology used for the C1e, which uses the same airframe as the AS332C1, no longer in production.


The C1e cockpit features four 6- by 8-inch displays. The four-axis autopilot comes from the EC225. Powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1s (1,877 shp each), the C1e can lift up to 9,900 pounds on the hook at an mtow is 20,600 pounds.


One way Eurocopter has kept the price down for both manufacturing and maintaining the C1e was to adopt maximum standardization of systems rather than offer its usual “tailored” approach, Arfi noted.


Despite the standardized approach, options are offered, such as a hoist, sling, search-and-rescue autopilot mode and a “combi kit” STC for a variable number of seats (up to 17), depending on the cargo load. Eurocopter subsidiary Vector Aerospace developed the STC using seat rails and a mobile partition wall.


The C1e is intended to compete with Russian helicopters such as the Mi-8/17 series, and although equipped with the latest generation of engines and avionics it is cost-competitive with, for example, the Mi-171A2, Arfi claimed. Eurocopter also sees a market for the C1e among operators replacing old Bell 412s. “We are aiming at the utility market in the medium/heavy category, including search-and-rescue, logistics, passenger carrying and peace enforcement,” Arfi said.


The price of the C1e is undisclosed as yet but higher than that of its ex-Soviet rivals. “If the customer looks at operating costs, however, he sees the total cost of ownership is lower with the C1e,” Arfi claimed, adding that the C1e’s operating costs are “known and predictable.” He claimed the Eurocopter burns 30 percent less fuel than the Mi-171A2 series while offering a higher cruise speed.


According to a Starlite Aviation spokeswoman, the “gross value” of the order is “more than €50 million” ($65 million).

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

Eurocopter Lands First Customer for “low-cost” Super Puma

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Charles Alcock

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Matt Thurber

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.

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

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

Twin-engine aircraft will be based at Broome in Western Australia

PHI Adds H175s to Australian Energy Support Fleet

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

More In Rotorcraft

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

PHI Adds H175s to Australian Energy Support Fleet

Twin-engine aircraft will be based at Broome in Western Australia

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier

Blade Helo Shuttle Service Returns to 2024 NBAA-BACE

Helicopter flights will be available to transport attendees between the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN