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
Boeing Takes Full Control of Autonomous eVTOL Developer Wisk Aero
The California start-up's CEO, Brian Yutko, confirmed that the company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the aerospace and defense giant during a Boeing press conference in South Carolina.
Aircraft
Piasecki Develops Hydrogen Helicopter at Sikorsky Factory
Piasecki Aircraft has acquired the former Sikorsky helicopter factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and will use it to develop VTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Piasecki To Develop and Build VTOL Vehicles in Former Sikorsky Helicopter Facility
The Coatesville, Pennsylvania factory produced Sikorsky S-76 and S-92 helicopters before Lockheed Martin closed it in 2022.
FutureFlight
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
A weekly roundup of significant milestones and achievements from companies and organizations working to transform aviation with new types of aircraft, propulsion systems, flight controls, and business models.
Aircraft
SAS Taking Bookings for First Electric Flight in 2028
Scandinavian airline SAS plans to be one of the launch operators for Heart Aerospace's Swedish-made ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner.
FutureFlight
Destinus Achieves First Flight with Hydrogen Afterburner To Advance Plans for Hypersonic Aircraft
The company's Jungfrau technology demonstrator made several flights last week from an airport in Germany using its new hydrogen-burning afterburner system.
FutureFlight
Lyte Aviation and AAM Institute Develop Business Case for Seattle-area VTOL Shuttle Flights
Lyte Aviation is developing a 40-seat hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft called the SkyBus LA-44 that it says will have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and speeds of 300 km/h.
Environment
Prepping for Business Aviation's New Normal: Protests
An EBACE panel discussion partly focused on the fall-out from Tuesday's protests against business aviation and France's new ban on domestic flights.
Charter & Fractional
Avinode Set to Simplify Online Charter Booking Process
Operators and brokers will be able to present clearer options for their clients and conduct all aspects of transactions in one place online, Avinode said.
FutureFlight
ZeroAvia's Hydrogen-electric Propulsion System Will Power Natilus's Kona Cargo Drone
With a 3.8-ton payload and range of up to 900 nm, the Kona is the smallest member of a planned family of autonomous freighters.
FutureFlight
Merlin Extends Autonomous Flight Trials to New Zealand
The company is seeking concurrent U.S. and New Zealand approval for the supplemental type certificate under which it will convert the flight decks of existing aircraft.
Aircraft
Lilium Jet Cabin Mockup Shows the Future of eVTOL Flight
EBACE visitors can try the four-seat eVTOL cabin to see the comfort and design features for the electric aircraft that will have a range of 155 miles.
FutureFlight
Lilium Displays Mock-up of Pioneer Edition eVTOL Aircraft and Books Eleven More Orders
Swiss-based private aviation group Air-Dynamic has agreed to add five of the all-electric aircraft to its fleet.
FutureFlight
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
FutureFlight.aero's Weekly Advanced Air Mobility News Roundup
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Inmarsat Boosts Jet ConneX Speeds and Service Plans
The inflight connectivity provider is adding more satellites to support the availability of faster guaranteed bandwidth in business aircraft cabins.
Aircraft
Air-Dynamic Orders Lilium Jet eVTOLs for Charter Fleet
The Swiss-based private jet and helicopter operator has paid pre-delivery deposits to secure five of the four-passenger Pioneer Edition eVTOL aircraft.
Safety
Europeans Get Access to MedAire's Digital Assessment Kit
Along with increased access to its Digital Assessment Kit, MedAire has expanded its London assistance center and added features to the MedAire360 safety.
FBOs
Energy Suppliers Say They're Serious about Boosting SAF Use
Shell Aviation and Air BP say there are ways to break through the barriers to increased use of sustainable aviation fuels in business aircraft.
Aircraft
Mobility Innovators Chase Business Aviation Connections
The advanced air mobility sector is being energized by multiple start-ups, but also by long-term commitments from big-name aerospace industry players.
FutureFlight
Review of Certification Process and Key Supplier Contributions Prompted Vertical's eVTOL Aircraft Program Delay
The UK company now expects its four-passenger vehicle to complete concurrent UK and EASA type certification in late 2026.
Safety
MedAire Boosts London Medical and Safety Support Team
Risk management group MedAire has trained its UK team to mirror the level of support available to operators from its Global Response Center in Phoenix.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Capital Costs and Skills Shortage Challenge UK Aerospace
The country's ADS trade association says members are struggling to invest due to high interest rates and inflation, as Brexit headaches continue.
ATC
NASA Uses PC-12 for Advanced Air Mobility Flight Trials
NASA is utilizing a PC-12 to test cell tower signal strength in the greater Cleveland area to assess communications infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Aviation's Unprecedented Demand For Electricity Tests Power System Experts
TE Connectivity is supporting developers of new electric aircraft to ensure they can safely and efficiently deploy the power they need as voltage rates reach new highs for the aviation sector.
FutureFlight
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
FutureFlight.aero's Weekly Advanced Air Mobility News Roundup
Airports
Sirio Opens Maintenance Hangar at Milan Linate Airport
The facility developed with SEA Prime will support the MRO group's sister company Flexjet and is the 11th business aviation hangar at the Italian airport.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Collins Distributes Inmarsat's SwiftJet Connectivity
Inmarsat says the new L-band-based SwiftJet service will provide inflight connectivity with maximum connection speeds of 2.6 Mbps.
Aircraft
Private Wings Signs as Launch Customer for D328eco
Private Wings was attracted to the D328eco turboprop by Deutsche Aircraft's goal of a 95 percent cut in CO2 emissions by using power-to-liquid fuel.
FutureFlight
Alton's Experts Say Advanced Air Mobility Pioneers Face Obstacles to Delivering on Bold Promises
The consultancy is supporting manufacturers, operators, airports, and other stakeholders in completing key tasks leading to the launch of new air services.
Aircraft
Aura Aero Wants to Electrify Flight Training and Regional Airlines
The French start-up is developing an all-electric training aircraft called the Integral E as well as a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner.
