Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, 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 the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
OEMs ready to assemble for Farnborough airshow
Life begins at 60 looks to be the motto for the Farnborough International airshow as it prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of the first staging of the e
More acquisitions by Meggitt boost sensors, wheels, brakes
Just over a year after completing its biggest acquisition to date, Meggitt group has, according to chief executive Terry Twigger, made significant strides
Take home show highlights on official Farnborough DVD
For those who just don’t want the airshow ever to end, there is the official Farnborough 2008 DVD, which is being filmed here all week by LifeTV Media.
FBOs
TAG Aviation gears up for Farnborough
Farnborough Airport may be packed with an odd assortment of aircraft for this week’s show, but ordinarily it is strictly business.
L-3 Systems Integration Role Grows
After a wave of strategic acquisitions in recent years, L-3 has significantly boosted its presence as a systems integrator in complex defense programs.
Avionics
Glufstream orders Arinc's broadband
Gulfstream yesterday ordered 40 of Arinc’s new SkyLink inflight broadband satellite communications systems for installation on its jets.
Even a cold economy has some hot opportunities
The business aviation downturn will last at least another year or two but there is still plenty of room for good deal-making, according to financial adviso
Safety
Medical diagnostic firms join in market dogfight
A new inflight medical diagnostic system is being launched here at the NBAA show, claiming to be cheaper and easier to use than existing equipment.
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options mulling an Envoy 7 replacement
Embraer and Airbus are trying to persuade fractional ownership operator Flight Options to switch its 25-aircraft commitment for Fairchild Dornier’s Envoy 7
Cessna's order book tops show scorecard
Cessna confirmed yesterday that it now holds purchase agreements for no less than 160 of the Citation Mustang jet that it unveiled here at NBAA on Tuesday.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
DeCrane launches cabin interiors group
DeCrane Aircraft has announced the formation of a new subsidiary called DeCrane Cabin Interiors to specialize in business jet interior refurbishment, inclu
Maintenance and Modifications
Middle Eastern operators may avoid U.S. MRO work
With the Bush Administration pushing to wage war on Iraq, some Middle Eastern business and VIP aircraft operators are now reluctant to come to the U.S.
Avionics
TAWS maker files counterclaim against Honeywell's lawsuit
Terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) manufacturers being sued for patent infringement by Honeywell have started to fight back.
Engines
Honeywell's 731-50 is a low-risk venture
Honeywell launched the new TFE731-50 engine here in Orlando on Sunday evening, offering up to 4,900 lb of takeoff thrust and featuring integrated nacelle a
Maintenance and Modifications
Midcoast's activity unbent by downturn
The September 11 terrorist attacks and economic downturn have seemingly done nothing to dent the maintenance and modification business of Midcoast Aviation
Charter & Fractional
France's Unijet turns to Cessna for small jet to meet its charter needs
Dassault Aviation’s unwillingness to develop a new light business jet to replace the Falcon 10 and 20 models is starting to cost it business.
Honeywell forecast sees a 'steady climb'
Boom times will not quickly return to the business aviation marketplace, but the pace of aircraft orders should start picking up slightly over the next 12
Avionics
Collins teams with Airbus in ACJ deal
Airbus has appointed Rockwell Collins as the avionics supplier of reference for its Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ).
Aircraft
Airbus has first ACJ ops confab
Six operators were represented at the first operators conference for the Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) held at the manufacturer’s Toulouse, France headquarter
Bombardier reduces output, plans layoffs
Bombardier has cut aircraft production figures for the current 2001-02 financial period in reaction, it said, to the economic crisis sparked by the Septemb
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Inmarsat to slash cost of e-access
Global mobile satellite communications group Inmarsat plans to offer in-flight Internet connections of speeds of up to 64 kbps to aircraft operators at “a
Aircraft
Saab 340s recast as corporate shuttles
Piedmont Hawthorne has entered into an agreement with Saab Aircraft Leasing (SAL) to market Saab 340 twin-turboprops for corporate shuttle use.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
IEC Int'l refines cabin system
Cabin management system specialist IEC International has introduced the new color version of its soft switch panel.
Aircraft
Airbus readies 1st Airbus ACJ
Air France Industries is set to deliver its first completed Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) this month, with a second aircraft to leave its Toulouse, France com
FBOs
TAG working to remake Farnborough in pinstripes
TAG Aviation is working hard to provide European business aviation with a resource it desperately needs–an airport to call its own.
EBACE looks to be bigger, better next May 28 to 30
At its inaugural staging in April, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) did more than enough to seize a space for itself in t
Aircraft
BAE looks to build its bizplane business base
BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group is looking to build on the success of the deal it forged at the NBAA show last year, when it announced a lease agreemen
Maintenance and Modifications
GKN Aerospace moves to serve U.S. airframers
GKN Aerospace Services is promoting its growing capabilities in composites, machining and fabrication.
Messier-Dowty foresees success for systems sales
Messier-Dowty believes that the success of its fully packaged landing gear for Bombardier’s Global Express and Continental and Raytheon’s Hawker Horizon ha
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Lufthansa Technik makes its mark in bizliner jobs
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has expanded capacity at its Hamburg, Germany completions center and now offers a dedicated production line for large airliner-clas
