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
FutureFlight On The Radar
Archer's Attorneys Turn the Tables on Wisk in Legal Battle over eVTOL Aircraft Designs
Arguements made by Archer's legal team in an opposition court filing signal a change in tactics in its defense of charges of trade secrets theft made by rival Wisk in a case due to start in San Francisco on July 7.
FutureFlight
Eve To Provide Up to 60,000 eVTOL Flight Hours to Private Flight Group Blade
The flights will be operated by partner operators in South Florida and on the U.S. West Coast using up to 60 of Eve's planned four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Opens Consultation on Revised Special Condition VTOL Means of Compliance
The European aviation safety regulator is giving VTOL aircraft developers and other interested parties another chance to comment on the proposed means of compliance for certifying new aircraft under its Special Condition VTOL rules.
FutureFlight
Qarbon Aerospace To Build Hexa Multicopter for Lift Aircraft
Lift Aircraft has selected fellow Texas company Qarbon Aerospace as the manufacturing partner for its Hexa electric multicopter, which is intended for leisure flights and personal transportation.
FutureFlight
Hyundai Taps Anra for eVTOL Air Traffic Management Support
The South Korean automotive group's Urban Air Mobility Division will work with Anra Technologies to establish operational infrastructure for its planned eVTOL aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service in 2028.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Rolls-Royce Publishes Ambitious Net-zero Carbon Manifesto
The UK aircraft engines group has committed to achieve specific goals to eliminate carbon from its products and its entire business operation.
Airlines
UK Air Travel Industry Leads Protests over Covid Restrictions
Airline and airport staff joined forces with their managements in a "travel day of action" protest, demanding changes to UK government Covid travel rules.
FutureFlight
AirMobility Agrees to Market Dufour's Aero 3 eVTOL In Japan
According to eVTOL aircraft "sales and services platform" AirMobility, Japan expects to see initial advanced air mobility operations as early as 2023.
FutureFlight
Prospective 'Drive and Fly' Customers Explain Why They've Signed Up for the Aska Flying SUV
Following an April launch event for NFT's Aska eVTOL vehicle, just under 100 prospective buyers have placed $5,000 deposits to become members of the California-based start-up's "Founders Club."
FutureFlight
Archer Recruits Engineers from Collapsed Supersonic Aircraft Company Aerion
More than 20 experienced aviation engineers are moving from defunct supersonic aircraft developer Aerion to eVTOL pioneer Archer, which is working to bring a four-passenger aircraft into commercial service by 2024.
FutureFlight
Eve and Skyports Step Up Efforts To Develop Urban Air Mobility Plans
The Brazil-based eVTOL aircraft developer will work with vertiport developer Skyports on market readiness and a concept for operations exercises to prepare the way for eVTOL air taxi services in cities across Asia and the Americas.
FutureFlight
Volocopter's eVTOL Prototype Makes French Public Debut with Le Bourget Flight
Volocopter's 2X eVTOL prototype flew during the Paris Air Forum at the French capital's Le Bourget Airport on June 21 as part of the German manufacturer's support for plans to launch urban air mobility services in Paris.
FutureFlight
Some eVTOL Revolutionaries May Be Moving Closer to the Business Aviation Mainstream
Certain eVTOL aircraft developers have insisted they have no use for a customer base of private aircraft operators, and prefer to operate air taxi services themselves. But that could be changing as the aircraft get closer to service entry.
Aircraft
Skyports, Eve Step Up eVTOL UAM Vertiport Ops Plans
Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions and Skyports are expanding their partnership on EVTOL vertiport ops.
FutureFlight
MagniX Expands Power Options with 350 kW and 650 kW Electric Propulsion Units
The new Magni350 and Magni650 electric propulsion units provide lower and higher power ratings than the existing 500 kW Magni500.
FutureFlight
GE Digital Teams with Varon To Develop Urban Air Mobility Plans in Latin America
The industrial software specialist GE Digital this week signed a memorandum of understanding to partner with Varon Vehicles Corporation in its plans to develop urban air mobility infrastructure and services.
FutureFlight
Liebherr-Aerospace Teams With GM to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cells For Aircraft
Automotive group GM is providing its proven Hydrotec fuel cell technology to join forces with experienced aircraft systems integration specialist Liebherr to bring new hydrogen propulsion technology to the aviation sector.
Aircraft
Liebherr and GM To Collaborate on Hydrogen Fuel Cells
General Motors’ Hydrotec technology would serve as the basis for a new integrated hydrogen fuel cell system for airliners.
Airlines
Airlines, Airports Sue UK Government Over Covid Travel Rules
Ryanair and Manchester Airport Group are demanding a full judicial review of the UK's Covid travel restrictions.
FutureFlight
Former Airbus CEO Thomas Enders To Chair Lilium after Qell Merger
The board of German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium will be lead by former Airbus CEO Thomas Enders following its imminent completion of its planned IPO merger with special purpose acquisition company Qell.
FutureFlight
SAE Close to Completing Guidance on Endurance Tests for Electric Aircraft Engines
Industry standards group SAE International will soon publish guidelines advising developers of new electric propulsion systems how they can adequately test them for durability and integrity.
FutureFlight
EHang Deploys eVTOL Aircraft in Chinese Covid Containment Effort
EHang is providing support to officials in China's Guangdong provinces who are trying to reverse a resurgence in Covid-19 infections. Several of its eVTOL aircraft and drones are being operated from a base in Guangzhou.
FutureFlight
New Zealand Coastal Site Now Available for Aerospace Test Facilities
Developers of eVTOL aircraft are among the aerospace companies being invited to establish test and development facilities on coastal land on the Kaitorete Spit near Christchurch on New Zealand's south island.
FutureFlight
Xeriant and XTI Aircraft Form Joint Venture To Bring TriFan 600 VTOL Aircraft To Market
At a June 14 press conference Xeriant and XTI Aircraft confirmed plans for a 50:50 joint venture to pursue type certification for the hybrid-electric TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Standards Group SAE Issues Guidance On Durability and Integrity of Electric Propulsion
The new ARP8689 document from SAE International is intended to help electric propulsion system developers meet the requirements of regulators for durability and integrity.
Aircraft
XTI Partners With Xeriant To Develop TriFan VTOL
XTI believes its fixed-wing, ducted fan VTOL aircraft will be bought by operators currently using existing business aircraft and helicopters.
FutureFlight
European Ferry Group Commits To Buying Regent Sea Gliders
Brittany Ferries wants to start operating a version of Regent Craft's new electric sea glider that would be able to carry between 50 and 150 passengers on popular routes between France and the UK.
FutureFlight
Eve Partners with Ascent To Prepare for eVTOL Flights in the Asia Pacific Region
Ascent says that flights in the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft being developed by Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions will be offered through its booking platform in various Asia Pacific countries.
Aircraft
Airbus Starts Work on Hydrogen Fuel Tanks for Airliners
Airbus has set up Zero Emissions Development Centers in France and Germany to develop cryogenic hydrogen fuel tanks for its planned Zero E airliners.
FutureFlight
Airlines Place Biggest eVTOL Orders To Date As Vertical Goes Public
Vertical Aerospace is merging with special purpose acquisition company Broadstone, boosted by pre-orders for up to 1,000 of its VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft from American, Virgin and Avolon.
