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
Charter & Fractional
Victor Says Airlines Should Offer Voluntary SAF Purchases
One in five customers booking charter flights through Victor now pays for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce the carbon footprint of their trips.
FutureFlight
Incentivized Public Service Flights Could Kickstart Net Zero Electric Aviation In Norway
A new report from the independent Institute for Transport Economics argues that with the right incentives airlines would switch to electric aircraft for domestic flights.
FutureFlight
Lilium Completes EASA Design Organization Audits for eVTOL Aircraft Program
The German company has cleared all four audits required to secure the EASA design organization approval it needs to complete type certification for its six-passenger Lilium Jet.
FutureFlight
Australian Regulator Issues Guidelines for Vertiport Design and Construction
The move has been welcomed by Melbourne-based vertiport developer Skyportz, which is seeking to develop some 400 eVTOL landing sites across Australia.
FutureFlight
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
FutureFlight.aero's Weekly Advanced Air Mobility News Roundup
FutureFlight
Indian Regional Airline Plans To Switch Fleet to Electric Seaplanes
Mumbai-based Maritime Energy Heli Air Services is to replace Cessna Grand Caravan turboprops with Jekta's electric-powered PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Future Air Mobility Brags Bigly over Sales Tallies, But Are They Credible?
A McKinsey report assesses the latest sales trends for eVTOL vehicles, sustainable aircraft, cargo drones, and supersonic jets.
Charter & Fractional
Heli SGI Signs To Be Indonesian AW09 Launch Customer
The Bali charter operator could add up to 15 of Leonardo's new single-engine helicopter to its currently all-Bell fleet.
Airports
Leeds East Airport Offers New Option for Northern England
The former RAF base now has an RNP instrument approach, giving improved access for business aircraft, as well as a new FBO building.
Aircraft
Daher Boosts Manufacturing Bandwidth with AAA Buy
French aircraft manufacturer Daher is adding to its aerostructures and support capability by taking over the Assistance Aéronautique et Aérospatiale group.
FutureFlight
With FAA Authorization, Aska Set To Expand Flight Testing of A5 Flying SUV
The four-seat hybrid-electric vehicle is intended for both personal and commercial flights and will be able operate either vertically from helipads or conventionally from runways.
Eco-protests Target Private Aviation: A Call to Action
Protests against business aviation are likely only to become more prevalent, and the industry must take action to improve sustainability...and its image.
FutureFlight
H2Fly Expands Hydrogen Propulsion Ambitions With Plans For Higher Altitude Operations
The company is preparing to start flight testing the H175 propulsion system later this year in its HY4 technology demonstrator aircraft.
FutureFlight
SK Telecom Makes $100 Million Investment In Joby's eVTOL Aircraft
The companies are building on an earlier collaboration launched back in February 2022 that could support the launch of eVTOL air taxi flights in South Korea.
Airports
Air bp Adds Five Fueling Bases in New Zealand
The aviation fuel supplier now offers service at Thames Aerodrome, Oamaru Airport, Motueka Aerodrome, Albany Helipad, and Nelson Airport.
FutureFlight
FAA Issues G-1 Certification Basis For Lilium's eVTOL Aircraft
FAA and EASA are taking somewhat different approaches to certifying new eVTOL aircraft, but concurrent type certification should be possible under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the U.S. and the European Union.
FutureFlight
First Fare-Paying eVTOL Passenger Flights Could Happen In Paris During 2024 Olympic Games
Volocopter is about to apply for an air operator certificate as it prepares for what could be the world's first commercial eVTOL flights to be started in time for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Airbus and MIT Assess How Fairness Principles Might Apply to Air Traffic Management For eVTOL Aircraft and Drones
The partners have devised what they call a Fairness Engine to assess how to prioritize access to airspace, primarily for eVTOL aircraft and drones that can't file flight plans on a first-come, first-served basis.
FutureFlight
Jaunt Prepares for eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing In Quebec, Naming Supply-chain Partner
The Journey eVTOL aircraft is to be type certified under Transport Canada rules in 2027, with FAA approval to follow.
FutureFlight
Supernal Adds Suppliers and Manufacturing Partners for SA-1 eVTOL Air Taxi
Supernal has tapped GKN Aerospace, Qarbon Aerospace, and Umbra Group to help design components and refine manufacturing processes for its SA-1 eVTOL air taxi.
Aircraft
UrbanV and Lilium To Develop Vertiports in Italy and France
The UrbanV-Lilium partnership could lead to a network of vertiports at multiple sites in Italy and also in the south of France.
FutureFlight
Safran Explores Power Options For Next Generation Volocopter eVTOL Aircraft
Volocopter has also conducted flight trials with its two-seat vehicle in Saudi Arabia as part of its partnership with the Neom development.
Engines
U.S. Air Force Tests Light, Compact Electric Generators
Wright Electric has developed the 30 kW electric generators to supper the Air Force's need to have more agile and lean operations.
Aircraft
GKN Works On Hydrogen Propulsion With Embraer
As part of Embraer's Energia program to consider net zero carbon aircraft, GKN will provide expertise on hydrogen propulsion systems.
Aircraft
Airliner Backlogs Build Back Bigger at Paris 2023
Rising revenue flows could prompt a further wave of mergers and acquisitions activity despite supply chain strains and rising capital costs.
Training and Workforce
Given the Opportunity, Women Could Fill Aerospace Skills Gap
Companies are investing in multi-pronged efforts to boost female involvement in engineering, but women still account for around one-fifth of the total.
Aircraft
First eVTOL Passenger Flights Set For Paris In 2024
Volocopter says it expects to complete EASA type certification in time for the Paris Olympic Games starting in late July 2024.
Engines
Wright Logs 1-MW Output With Electric Motor Generator
Wright Electric aims to produce a 2-MW powertrain that could power single-aisle airliners and will soon start new tests with NASA.
FutureFlight
Wisk's eVTOL Air Taxi To Navigate with Safran's SkyNaute
Safran's SkyNaute inertial navigation system will support Wisk's plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft autonomously, with no pilot on board.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Ampaire Makes the Case For Hybrid-Electric Propulsion
A new white paper evaluates alternative power options to reduce carbon emissions from aircraft.
