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
Aircraft
New Data Tracks the Steep Descent of the A380
New data from Spire Aviation vividly illustrates how airlines had to cut operations by the A380 and other four-engine widebodies amid Covid.
FutureFlight
Despite the Hype, Early eVTOL Operations Will Be More Evolutionary Than Revolutionary
Most commercial eVTOL air taxi services will be based on existing operating rules such as the FAA's Part 135 code and will be flown by experienced pilots.
FutureFlight
Avionics Supplier Claims It Can Solve eVTOL Challenges Like Power Management
Avidyne is already working with eVTOL aircraft developer Beta Technologies and hybrid-electric fixed-wing aircraft maker VoltAero.
FutureFlight On The Radar
New Interactive Online Map Tracks Advanced Air Mobility Early Adopter Cities
SMG Consulting has set up a map to track cities with announced plans for services using new eVTOL aircraft
FutureFlight
UPS Commits to Operating Beta's Alia eVTOL Aircraft for Package Deliveries
UPS Flight Forward has signed a deal to buy 10 Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, with options for another 140 units.
FutureFlight
Bell Takes Patient Approach to the Advanced Air Mobility Market
Despite parent company Textron's recent creation of a new eAviation division, the helicopter manufacturer seems to be taking a cautious approach to bringing new electric aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Considers Vy 400 VTOL Aircraft for Military Support Missions
The aim is for the aircraft to be able to fly automatically at low levels in "nap of the earth" mode to avoid detection by hostile forces.
FutureFlight
Wisk Sues Archer, Alleging Theft and Patent Infringement Over eVTOL Aircraft Design
In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Wisk Aero alleges that several of its former employees passed intellectual property to Archer after joining the company.
Aircraft
Wisk Sues Archer, Alleging eVTOL Patent Infringement
In a lawsuit, Wisk Aero alleges that several of its former employees passed intellectual property to Archer after joining the company.
FutureFlight
Pipistrel's Nuuva V300 Cargo Vehicle Will Use Honeywell Flight Data Systems
Honeywell is providing its Attitude Heading Reference System and Air Data Module to support flight control and navigation functions.
FutureFlight On The Radar
U.S. Commuters Give Their Take on the Case for Urban Air Mobility
Wisk asked almost 500 people across 30 U.S. cities how they would feel about traveling in electric, autonomous air taxis.
Rotorcraft
New AirborneX Platform Offers Helicopters for Lease
Ascent's website brings together owners and operators wanting to lease aircraft on flexible terms.
FutureFlight
New Funding Backs ZeroAvia's Plans for Hydrogen-Powered Regional Airliners
The company—which says it can get a 50-seat aircraft into commercial service in 2026, followed by a 100-seater in 2030—is competing with Universal Hydrogen to pioneer hydrogen power adoption in the airline sector.
FutureFlight
Electric Light Aircraft Start-up Unveils Ambitious Plan for Hybrid Regional Airliner
French start-up Aura Aero is launching plans for a 19-seat Electrical Regional Aircraft as its prepares to bring an all-electric trainer to market.
FutureFlight On The Radar
DACUS Concept of Operations Report Assesses Urban Air Mobility Infrastructure Needs
The Demand and Capacity Optimisation for U-Space project has addressed the integration of drones and also new manned aircraft, including passenger-carrying eVTOL models.
Aircraft
British Airways Backs ZeroAvia's Plan for Hydrogen Airliner
ZeroAvia's plan for 50- and 100-seat hydrogen-powered airliners are advancing alongside several other new hybrid-electric and electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
Lilium to Fund Seven-Seat eVTOL Through $830 Million SPAC Flotation With Qell
The German company has confirmed that its series production Lilium Jet will carry a pilot and up to six passengers when it enters service in 2024.
FutureFlight
Wisk Prepares for Next Phase of Cora Flight Trials in New Zealand
The all-electric, two-seat eVTOL aircraft will conduct the testing in the city of Canterbury in the second half of 2021.
FutureFlight
Airbus Remains Committed to eVTOL Technology, But Says Commercial Returns Will Take Longer
CEO Guillaume Faury told a webinar organized by Eurocontrol that his company still see great value in advancing electric aviation projects.
Aircraft
$830M IPO To Fund Lilium's Seven-seat eVTOL
Lilium is pursuing a Nasdaq listing through a merger with special acquisition company Qell as it works to launch commercial services from 2024.
FutureFlight
Business Aviation Group Creates Safety Certification for eVTOL Aircraft Operations
New IS-BAO safety standards could be available for unmanned aircraft by January 2022, and for piloted and passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft around 12 months later.
FutureFlight
Textron Steps Up Advanced Air Mobility Presence With new eAviation Unit
Rob Scholl reports directly to Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly as senior v-p for the division.
Aircraft
3D Printing Delivers Big Cost Savings for Components Maker
Senior Aerospace has invested in the latest Stratasys 3D printers to make parts such as air ducts more cheaply and quickly, and at half the weight.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MySky Launches Aircraft Ownership Cost Prediction Tool
MySky Budget is based on the company's existing spend management platform, calculating projected costs based on some 30 million data points.
FutureFlight
Urban Air Mobility Flight Trials Will Be Staged in Toulouse and Bordeaux
The TindAIR group says a "very large-scale demonstration" of urban air mobility operations will start in the French cities in 2022.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Files Its Flight Plan for Urban Air Mobility Takeoff
In a white paper, the German eVTOL aircraft developer says it now expects the global market for urban air mobility to be worth €241 billion by 2035.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Confirms Plans for Commercial eVTOL Cargo Trials
The German eVTOL aircraft developer's CFO told an investors' webinar about its ambitious plans for the urban air mobility sector.
Airlines
Sweden Set To Introduce Emissions-based Charges for Flights
The Swedish government will introduce takeoff and landing charges to encourage airlines to use more fuel-efficient aircraft with lower emissions.
FutureFlight
Reliable Robotics Steps Up Remote Piloting Plan with New Partner Daedalean
Machine-learning specialist Daedalean is helping Reliable Robotics achieve its target of completing certification for its flight-automation technology by the end of 2022.
FutureFlight
Embraer Still Seeking Partners for Eve eVTOL Aircraft Venture
The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer incurred losses in 2020, mainly due to declining deliveries of its commercial airliners in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
