EADS demonstration in New Zealand

EADS Socata manufactures touring, training and business aircraft and also aerostructures for major aircraft producers such as Airbus, Dassault, Embraer, Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin. The headquarters and production are located in the Toulouse region of Southwest France, on the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport.  With over 6,000 aircraft in service worldwide, EADS Socata is one of the leading general aviation manufacturers in the world as well as an industrial partner of major aerospace programs. EADS Socata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Since the 17th of March EADS Socata has sent a TBM 850 (one of the latest aircraft) for a demonstration around New Zealand, particularly in Wanaka the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of March. 

 

Inside a TBM 850.

"The TBM 850 offers jet performance and excellent short-field characteristics without exposing owners and pilots to the huge leap in direct operating costs, time-consuming transition training, and the insurance premiums associated with the emerging category of light jets. The TBM 850 has much better useful load and range than typical "very light jets". This allows owners to make trips with fewer fuel stops giving them lower travel times and lower operating costs.

Fly non-stop from Chicago to Nassau in the Bahamas, from Vancouver to San Diego. Fly across Europe or Eastern Australia. Cruise at 31,000 feet after a fast climb. Descend swiftly and keep up with jets in busy terminal areas or slip into 2,100-ft strips or mountain airports." (from the official website).

 

Source : EADS Socata  

Alexis Poilvert

After one year in Taupo, frenchman Alexis Poilvert and family have been living in Wanaka for the last four years. They became New Zealand citizens last month.

An experienced abseiler, Alexis specializes in acrobatic works, which is a French specialty not yet recognized as it should be because of the language barrier. Speaking fluent English (IELTS level 7), Alexis intends to change this fact.

According to 'Australasian Drilling Magazine', Alexis offers a wide range of services including sandblasting, cleaning, painting, repairs and maintenance on buildings, pylons, silos, boats and much more. In addition, he is proficient in the use of the European-designed "DACHS" drilling system. DACHS is a down hole hammer activated through rods by a pneumatic rotating head fixed on a trolley moving on a slide. Fixed with an ingenious bracket on a special frame equipped with two wheels and a slide paten, Dachs is an extremely light and handy drilling unit. It can quickly be operated either on a flat uneven or vertical ground by a team of two experienced abseilers using a combination of manual winches, ratchets and bolts.

 

 

The Dachs can drill 90 mm holes up to 10 metres in depth in either very hard rock or in inconsistent ground, with very little risk of getting stuck. According to Alexis, "It's very easy to adjust the angles of the holes, permitting either vertical or overhanging drilling if desired."

"Fitted with wheels, the machine is easy to drag on ski slopes or on cliffs. It's easily dismountable and can be carried anywhere a bulldozer cannot go - in a backyard or into a construction site, and it can be heliported on to a mountain range or other difficult access sites."

Alexis has been using the Dachs system successfully in Europe for a number of years, mostly in infrastructure protection including anchoring, rock-bolting and rock fall barriers Other applications include: road and railway construction, slope stabilization, landslide prevention, special building foundations and reinforcement, foundations for ski lifts, pylons, huts and dam. As Alexis said, "I design safe systems for any kind of job needing industrial, rope-access solutions."

 

 

For example, as a supervisor Alexis worked off-shore in Maui Fields for Aerial Abseil Access. He conceived and set up cable system permitting the repainting of the ceiling under the bow of Shell's boat. On the Nevis Bluff, near Queenstown, he was in charge of the drilling of a 150-metre-high cliff overhanging the road.
He also does difficult access building maintenance: window cleaning, painting, masonry, leaks repairs…

 

During his leisure time, Alexis is fond of skiing. He was trained as an Officer Cadet Mountain Guide (ENSA Chamonix in France). In 2007, he came third in the first kiwi ski mountaineering competition. You might have crossed him skinning up Treble Cone slopes, or riding down.
His son Romain, 18 years old, got an outstanding scholarship in French last month...
While his wife Florence is successful librarian in Mt Aspiring College. But that’s another story!
Daughter Maia, 8, and son Gary, 6, are attending Wanaka Primary School, both bilingual and confirmed skiers.

 

If you are interested in Alexis Poilvert's skills, please contact him or his Company:

 

 

Drilling & Abseil Services Ltd
134 Stone Street Wanaka NZ
Tél : [phone]
Mob : [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

 

 

Complementary source: Australasian Drilling Magazine

Photographies by Alexis Poilvert.