Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is a senior editor with AIN, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at Manchester University in the northwest of England and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
Environment
More Mandates and Messaging Needed To Drive SAF Adoption
The British Business & General Aviation Association discussed a carrot-and-stick approach to overcoming cost-based objections to sustainable aviation fuel.
FutureFlight
Spirit AeroSystems Will Make Wings for CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Aircraft
The aerostructures group will develop and manufacture lightweight wings for the five-seat vehicle at its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
FutureFlight
Aerotree Commits To Deploying EHang eVTOL Aircraft in Malaysia
The company provides aviation training and maintenance services and now holds an operating permit that it says allows it to start commercial eVTOL flights in Malaysia.
Charter & Fractional
Russian Sanctions Could Dent Business Aviation Market
Business aviation companies now face new pressures to ensure they do not breach sanctions and other restrictions on Russian-controlled aircraft.
Airlines
IATA Appears To Have No Plans to Expel Russian Airlines
The group says that it must put considerations such as dealing with canceled flight payments above a principled stance against Russian aggression.
Charter & Fractional
UK Grounds Jet at Farnborough in Russian Sanctions Probe
A Luxembourg-registered Global 6500 was prevented from leaving Farnborough on March 8 as UK officials investigate possible Russian connections.
Aircraft
CAE to Develop Simulators for Joby's eVTOL Aircraft
CAE will develop flight training equipment, including a full-flight simulator, for Joby's five-seat eVTOL aircraft that is due to enter service in 2024.
FutureFlight On The Radar
NTSB Investigators Publish Preliminary Report Into Joby eVTOL Flight Test Accident
The report says that the all-electric aircraft experienced an unspecified component failure during a test flight and incurred substantial damage.
Aircraft
NetJets Set to Offer Fractional Shares in Lilium's eVTOL
The proposed partnership with NetJets marks a shift in business model for eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium, which is recruiting operating partners.
Aircraft
Jaunt's eVTOL Plans Boosted by LTTS Engineering Alliance
Jaunt, which is working to certify its five-seat Journey eVTOL aircraft by 2026, is establishing design and production facilities in Canada.
FutureFlight
CAE to Develop Flight Training Simulators For Joby's eVTOL Aircraft
The Canadian aviation training group is already working with three other eVTOL aircraft developers to meet their needs to train flight crew.
FutureFlight
Former Airbus Leader Set To Head eVTOL Pioneer Volocopter
Until July 2021, Dirk Hoke was CEO of Airbus Defence & Space and in September 2022 he will succeed Florian Reuter as CEO and managing director of Volocopter.
Rotorcraft
South Korean Investor and Honeywell Back Volocopter
South Korea’s WP Investments, along with Honeywell and previous investor Atlantis, are the main backers for a $170 million funding round for Volocopter.
FutureFlight
USAF's Agility Prime Team Evaluate Remotely Piloted Phenix Ultra 2XL VTOL
Built to fit within a standard 20-foot shipping container, the Phenix Ultra 2XL is intended to be launched by ground troops in less than 15 minutes.
FutureFlight
Vertical Flight Society Promotes Understanding of Hydrogen's Potential for Green Aviation
The organization is holding its first H2-Aero Symposium & Workshop in Long Beach, California, on March 29-31.
FutureFlight
Lilium Targets Premium Private Travelers Through eVTOL Alliance with NetJets
The agreement marks a shift in the German eVTOL aircraft developer's advanced air mobility business model as it prepares to bring the Lilium Jet into commercial service by 2024.
FutureFlight
Jaunt Air Mobility Strengthens eVTOL Team with Engineering Partner LTTS
India-based L&T Technology Services will provide so-called pure-play engineering services to Jaunt as it works to bring its family of eVTOL aircraft to market.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Agrees To Buy and Operate 150 Lilium eVTOLs
Fractional aircraft provider NetJets plans to add 150 Lilium eVTOLs to its fleet for potential operations in the U.S. and Europe.
Regulations and Government
UK, U.S. Regulators Collaborate on eVTOL Certification
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will work closely with the FAA on eVTOL type certifications.
FutureFlight
UK and U.S. Regulators Collaborate To Support eVTOL Aircraft Certification
Both aviation regulators already have bilateral air safety agreements with other regulators such as EASA in Europe and Transport Canada.
FutureFlight
NetJets Agrees To Buy and Operate Lilium Jet eVTOL for Private Owners
The fractional ownership giant may add up to 150 of the seven-seat Lilium Jets to its fleet and could also become an operating partner for Lilium's own services.
FutureFlight
Beyond Hype and Disillusionment, Advanced Air Mobility Will Fulfill Its Potential
Experts and newcomers in the advanced air mobility sector this week gather at the UK's Farnborough Airport for the Global Urban & Advanced Air Summit.
Charter & Fractional
Luxaviation-Rolls Tie-up Signals Bizav’s Move into AAM
Luxaviation's partnership with Rolls-Royce is one of the strongest signals yet that business aviation will play a role in the advanced air mobility sector.
FutureFlight
Business Aviation Group Luxaviation and Rolls-Royce Power Up For Advanced Air Mobility Operations Network
Luxaviation says initial eVTOL operations could start from its extensive network of private terminals in some 120 locations worldwide and aircraft could be managed under its 15 air operator certificates.
FutureFlight
New U.S. Legislation Provides Firmer Foundation for Advanced Air Mobility
During the Vertical Flight Society’s recent Transformative Vertical Flight conference in San Jose, California, Supernal's head of policy, Diana Cooper, addressed how regulatory paths may be getting clearer.
FutureFlight
How Electra Plans To Deliver Fixed-wing Payload and Range in Helicopter Habitats
The U.S. company is completing development of the hybrid-electric powertrain it intends to fly on a two-seat technology demonstrator by the end of 2022, en route to type certification in 2026.
ATC
Ukraine Airspace Shuts as Russian Invasion Threatens Air Safety
EASA and other agencies have warned of dangers to aircraft not only in Ukraine's airspace, but also in neighboring Russia, Belarus and Moldova.
FutureFlight
Natilus Claims Blended Wing Autonomous Freighters Will Transform Air Freight Business
The California start-up says it will have a full-scale prototype flying by around mid-2023 and it is targeting type certification and first deliveries in 2026.
FutureFlight
UK's Future Flight Challenge Pushes for Green and Inclusive Air Transport
The government-industry alliance is working to achieve objectives for 2030 that were published in the 2021 "Future Flight Vision & Roadmap" document.
FutureFlight
Tech Mahindra Joins Engineering Team To Bring Aska Flying SUV to Market
The Indian technology group is partnering with California-based start-up NFT to develop the four-seat Aska personal transportation vehicle that the companies say could complete type certification in 2026.
