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
Transcend Will Use HyperDrive Magnetic Levitation Technology for Vy 421 Tilt-wing VTOL Aircraft
The company has partnered with another Boston-based start-up, Maglev Aero, to replace electric motors.
Regulations and Government
Ex-EBAA Leader Fernand François Passes Away
Career in aviation spanned five decades, including journalism and industry advocacy
Environment
Hybrid Pragmatism Could Be Vanguard for Aviation's Electric Dreams
Multiple hybrid-electric fixed-wing aircraft are in development
FutureFlight
Volocopter Gets Clearance to Start Early Serial Production of VoloCity eVTOL Aircraft
Germany's LBA civil aviation authority has extended the company's production organization approval.
Environment
Embraer-X and Sustainable Aero Lab Push Decarbonization
Embraer-X is the Brazilian airframer's technology incubator and 'market accelerator' unit
Airports
Sugar Land Set To be Launch Pad for Wisk's eVTOL Air Taxi Services
A vertiport at the city's airport could be part of a network across the Greater Houston area
FutureFlight
Leasing Group LCI Teams With Airbus to Pursue Advanced Air Mobility Opportunities
The agreement was signed at the Heli-Expo show, where Bristow Group and The Helicopter and Jet Company launched a similar collaboration focused on Saudi Arabia.
FutureFlight
Lyte Aviation Expands LA-44 Hydrogen-Electric VTOL Aircraft Family to Offer Business Aviation Model
Like the 44-seat SkyBus and freight-carrying SkyTruck versions of the aircraft, the LA-44 X Prime will be priced at around $44 million and enter service around the end of the decade.
Aircraft
Lyte Launches Private Version of Hydrogen-electric VTOL Aircraft
The 19-seat LA-44 X Prime is a derivative of the 40-seat LA-44 SkyBus aircraft
Charter & Fractional
Blog: Could Monopolies Be the Norm for eVTOL Air Taxi Services?
Dubai's decision to give exclusive access to Joby has ruffled feathers
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Says Service and Support Investment Bearing Fruit
The company has increased the value of spare parts it holds to around $430 million
Aircraft
Airbus Sees eVTOL Race to Market as a Marathon
The company's urban air mobility unit sees no immediate case for on-demand air taxi services
Rotorcraft
Engine Backup System Could Buy Time for Pilots
Technology would provide emergency power after single-engine failures
FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Runs First Ground Test with Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Module
The proprietary module allows fuel to be directly loaded onto aircraft without needing hydrogen fuel infrastructure at airports.
FutureFlight
Archer Presses Ahead with Midnight eVTOL Flight Testing and Production Plans
With automotive group Stellantis, the company is building a series production line for the aircraft in Georgia.
Training and Workforce
Thales To Provide Simulators for German Army H145Ms
The contract follows an order for up to 82 twins from Airbus Helicopters
Rotorcraft
THC Orders Support Growing Saudi Mobility Needs
The massive order will support Saudi Arabia's vision for the future
FutureFlight
Assembly of Lilium Jet Propulsion Systems Begins after Nasdaq Issues Share Price Warning
Lilium is working toward a goal of flying certification-conforming examples of its six-passenger eVTOL aircraft by the end of 2024.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight's Prosperity eVTOL Aircraft Conducts Autonomous Flight Demo between Shenzen and Zhuhai
The Chinese manufacturer is aiming to demonstrate viable air taxi routes in the densely populated Greater Bay Area of southern China.
FutureFlight
LCI May Bundle eVTOL Aircraft and Infrastructure in Advanced Air Mobility Leases
The leasing group has already made commitments to add 165 eVTOL aircraft to its portfolio through agreements with Beta Technologies and Elroy Air.
FutureFlight
Nidec Is Developing Electric Motors for Air One Personal eVTOL Aircraft
The Japanese company and Israeli start-up Air say they will jointly develop a propulsion system that could be used for midsized vehicles.
Engines
Safran Boosts Deliveries as Work on New Engines Advances
The company wants to boost output from 600 to 1,000 engines by 2025
Rotorcraft
Airbus Seeks To Boost Output and Performance
Rotorcraft accounted for the strongest earnings growth across the Airbus group
Charter & Fractional
Amber Raises Funds for Asian Fractional Ownership Program
NetJets is among the Chinese company's investors
FutureFlight
Merlin Gets Approval To Start Freight Operations in New Zealand
The autonomous flight technology group has established a base at Kerikeri near the top of New Zealand’s North Island.
FutureFlight
Houston Suburb Sugar Land Prepares for Autonomous eVTOL Air Taxi Services
Texas lawmakers recently passed legislation to encourage public-private partnerships to further technology transportation initiatives.
FutureFlight
Ampaire Runs Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System on 100 Percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Dimensional Energy produces its ASTM D7566 fuel using electricity and carbon.
FutureFlight
Joby Completes Third of Five Stages for FAA Type Certification of Its eVTOL Aircraft
The manufacturer expects to finish the process this year and be ready to launch commercial operations with the four-passenger vehicle in 2025.
Engines
Chinese Leasing Group Orders More CFM Leap Engines
Singapore Airshow order relates to an earlier deal for Airbus A320neo airliners
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Electrical to Open New Singapore Support Facility
The French aerospace group signed an agreement with Singapore Economic Development Board
