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 first flight of the Quest Helicopters AVQ light twin has slipped by half a year, to “August or September” this year. A prototype aircraft is said to be almost ready to fly, even as the company shifts its focus from the four-seater to a larger 10- to 15-passenger version.


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2011-11-15/uae-company-launches-twin-rotor-helicopter">Unveiled in November 2011</a>, the AVQ features two counter-rotating rotors in tandem configuration and an ejection capsule for the occupants. It is being designed mainly in Ukraine and is to be manufactured in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).


Development progress is “slow but sure,” Mike Creed, commercial and deputy project director, told AIN, “and the escape pod is taking more time than expected.” Destructive testing is being conducted on two prototype capsules “to establish the trajectory and integrity,” Creed said.


The safety ejection capsule is the primary innovation on the AVQ. In case of “a catastrophic failure” (something more serious than an engine shutdown), the pilot can pull an ejection handle. The cockpit and cabin, encapsulated together, then separate from the rest of the airframe and the rotor system. Ejection thrusters push the cabin in a forward direction and two parachutes deploy. The company expects the capsule will be capable of safe deployment and successful touchdown from as low as 300 feet.


Quest is also working on fly-by-wire controls and aerodynamic refinements. The company has adjusted fairings on the aft fuselage to prevent buffeting due to the presence of two main rotors.


The flight-test phase of the four-seater will last about one year, Creed estimated. Quest Helicopters wants to have the AVQ certified under Ukrainian regulations and plans for EASA certification to follow, as he expects the European agency to spend a lot of time certifying the escape pod. “We are hearing huge interest from China, and the CAAC will be happy to accept a Ukrainian certificate,” he asserted.


However, anticipating that the market “will not accept” the four-seater, Quest has no significant production plans for the aircraft. Rather, the company could place it into “limited production” once it receives certification. “However, we believe we will maintain this model as a research-and-development proof of concept,” said Creed.


To appeal to a wider market, Quest designers have completed the design for a 10- to 15-seater. “It is just a stretch and we have no cg problem thanks to the two-rotor configuration,” he pointed out. However, Quest designers are ready to drop the fly-by-wire and the escape pod features on the larger design. “The capsule would be too big,” Creed said. Quest wants to start building a prototype of the larger aircraft in the fall.


The company has bought land in the Umm al-Qaywayn emirate in the UAE, where it plans to build a factory. “Production [of components] could begin in Ukraine early in the summer of 2014,” Creed said. The main assembly line is scheduled to begin operating in the UAE in 2015.

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

Quest AVQ Light Twin in ‘Slow but Sure’ Development Mode

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