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

NHIndustries (NHI, Static C2) is here highlighting its local customer, the French army’s light aviation division (Alat). An Alat NH90 TTH is part of the daily flying display and a flight crew that is just back from operations in Mali is ready to talk to visitors.

 


As of June 15, NHI had delivered more than 245 examples of its multi-mission helicopter to 13 customers. Another 250 or so aircraft are in the backlog–about five years of production at the current rate. The fleet has logged a total of 80,000 flight hours.

 


Discussions with Qatar are in the final phase, for a combination of 22 copies of the TTH (tactical transport) and NFH (naval) versions. Germany is about to ink a contract for an additional 18 NH90 NFHs. Discussions are at preliminary stages with several other countries. NHI is hoping to sell another six NH90 TTHs to the Alat, to replace old Pumas and fulfill special-operations needs.

 


Mali (operation Serval) is the Alat’s first operational use of the NH90 TTH. As of late May, four Alat NH90s were planned to be flying there this week. The Alat’s 15th NH90 TTH is to be delivered here during the show.

 


Meanwhile, the French Navy is using an NH90 NFH from the Chevalier Paul frigate that is part of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier’s battle group. Its MU90 torpedo was declared operational in March, giving the aircraft full capability in antisubmarine warfare. The French Navy’s NH90 can therefore detect and locate a submarine and send the information to a frigate via data link, leading to the firing of a torpedo.

 


In another use, the French Navy is operating the type for search and rescue from its Lanvéoc-Poulmic base in Brittany, having saved 150 since 2011, according to the manufacturer. Last December, the Italian Navy involved one SH90 (the country’s designation of the NH90 NFH) in a major rescue effort for the Norman Atlantic ferry, which was burning in the Adriatic Sea. An Australian MRH90 (the country’s designation of the NH90) joined the relief effort in Vanuatu in March to repair damage in the wake of the devastating tropical cyclone Pam.

 


In the works at NHI are external fuel tanks, new optronics and fast-rope equipment.

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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.

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