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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Chinese Regulators Adopt Special Conditions for EHang's Autonomous EH216 eVTOL Aircraft
The Civil Aviation Administration of China's acceptance of special conditions for certifying EHang's two-seat, fully autonomous vehicle should clear the way for its approval for operations in China.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight Promises an Air Mobility Cost Revolution with Its Prosperity I eVTOL Aircraft
The Chinese company aims to present a preproduction version of the four-seat aircraft by late 2022 and be ready to start type certification work in the first quarter of 2023.
FutureFlight
Airbus and CFM to Advance Zero-E Hydrogen Propulsion Plan Using an A380 Airliner Testbed
The European aerospace group is evaluating three potential designs for a hydrogen-powered airliner under the ZeroE project that it announced in September 2020.
FutureFlight
Elroy Air Makes the Case for Chaparral's Transformation of Air Cargo Services
The U.S. start-up is working to bring its autonomous, hybrid-electric Chaparral C1 VTOL cargo transporter into commercial service by 2023.
FutureFlight
H2Fly Is Ready for the Next Leg of Its Flight Path to Hydrogen-powered Commercial Aviation
The German start-up has completed flight testing of its HY4 technology demonstrator and is working with Deutsche Aircraft to start flying a converted Dornier 328 regional airliner.
FutureFlight
Skyports and Eve Start Work on eVTOL Concept of Operations for Japan
The partners are among several advanced air mobility companies engaged with Japanese authorities with a view to launching eVTOL air taxi services in the country from 2025.
FutureFlight On The Radar
New Forecast Sees Vast Advanced Air Mobility Services in the Asia Pacific Region by 2050
Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce and tranportation consultancy Roland Berger say the Asia Pacific market could generate annual revenues of $36.9 billion by 2050.
Rotorcraft
Joby eVTOL Prototype Involved in Flight-test Accident
One of Joby Aviation’s two eVTOL prototypes had an accident during flight testing in California.
FutureFlight
Joby eVTOL Prototype Aircraft Has Accident During Flight Testing
The company reported the accident in an 8K filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16.
FutureFlight
MightyFly Steps Up Flight Testing for Automated, Autonomous Cargo Deliveries
The company's MF-100 aircraft is remotely monitored by fully trained pilots and will be able to operate from small landing sites where freight can be automatically transferred to and from last-mile ground vehicles.
