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 Step Change in Safety organization, which represents a number of players in the North Sea oil-and-gas industry, is reporting progress in the implementation of the safety improvement measures required by the UK CAA in its CAP 1145 review. To improve survivability in the event of a ditching, helicopters are being equipped with a better emergency breathing system (EBS) and more attention is being focused on the shape and size of passengers in relation to the size of emergency escape windows.


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2014-08-04/north-sea-offshore-helicopter-pax-get-improved-breathing-systems-soon">The new EBS</a>, approved in July, was launched on August 18 on a flight from Scatsta to a platform in the Northern North Sea. As of September 2, more than 51,000 people had completed their EBS training, according to team leader Les Linklater. The system is now in use on every helicopter flight that supports the UK oil-and-gas industry, he said.


It was designed to fit an adolescent’s mouth and thus should be suitable for the majority of the offshore workforce. The valve prevents water from entering the mouthpiece, essentially eliminating the need to purge. The EBS has been designed to be intuitive, so the deployment procedure should be easy to remember, the organization’s experts said.


Safe Emergency Egress


Meanwhile, the passenger size workgroup has been working with an Aberdeen university to determine the size of offshore workers and how the CAA recommendations will affect those who travel offshore. “The size and shape study is complete and the results will be a crucial factor in deciding the maximum size a helicopter passenger can be,” the workgroup said.


It has decided that passengers will be measured by the width of their shoulders, not by body mass index or weight. “Shoulders are usually the widest part of a person’s body, and while other areas can be large they tend to be made up of compressible tissue,” the group said.


A standard clothing policy for workers traveling by helicopter will be introduced on October 1.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

North Sea Industry Implements Safety Measures

New emergency breathing systems are in use; study of passenger body size and shape will yield results soon.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agency held a Call to Action with business and general aviation leaders

FAA Steps Up Safety Collaboration with Industry

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Global 5000 accident exposes major safety issues

AINsight: An Eye-opening Lesson on Eye-to-wheel Height

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Incident took place after a Flexjet Challenger crossed the active runway while the airliner was landing

SWA 737 Goes Around after Midway Runway Incursion 

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.

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

House T&I Committee Democrats highlight urgent need to prioritize FAA reauthorization implementation

Lawmakers Call For ‘Intense Focus’ on ATC Upgrades, Hiring

AmyWilder

The SMS supports regulatory compliance for operators

NATA CS Launches Safety Management System with AI

Workshops will delve into regulatory requirements, managing risk, and using data

ACSF To Host SMS Workshops with Symposium

Charles Alcock

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

More In Safety