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
Rotorcraft
Bell Sells Seven More 407 GXis To European Customers
Operators in Ireland, the UK, and Poland have placed orders for the latest version of the Bell 407 family of single-engine helicopters.
Aircraft
Airbus Invests in Strong North American Rotorcraft Market
Airbus Helicopters grew its share of the North American market to 61 percent in 2022, with growing demand for its twin-engine models.
Regulations and Government
HAI Explores Rebranding To Reflect Evolving Priorities
The Helicopter Association International could soon be renamed to underline its commitment to new forms of vertical aviation.
Engines
Precision Aviation Boosts MRO Offering With PTB Acquisition
Adding PTB's 23 maintenance, repair, and overhaul locations brings significant support capability for Pratt & Whitney PT6 and Honeywell TPE331 engines.
Avionics
Enstrom Upgrades Helicopter Cockpit Displays
Enstrom's 2023 480B and 280FX models will feature Garmin G500H TXi all-glass instrument panels and Howell digital engine instrumentation systems.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Meridian Completes Full Bell 206L4 Refurbishment
The model Meridian delivered to New York Helicopter Charter has a fully overhauled engine, new avionics, and equipment including wire strike protection.
Maintenance and Modifications
Phenix Will Equip Ultra 2XL Drone with Multi-use Cargo Hook
Onboard Systems is helping Phenix Solutions design and certify the equipment for the Ultra 2XL unmanned aircraft system.
Aircraft
Assembly Close For First CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype
As it prepares for eVTOL flight testing is taking a thorough, partnership-based approached to building the advanced air mobility ecosystem.
Charter & Fractional
Korean Forest Service Orders Columbia's New-build 234 Chinook
The sale reflects Columbia Helicopter's emphasis on manufacturing, overhauling, and upgrading the venerable family of heavy-lift rotorcraft.
FutureFlight
Sustainable Aviation Group to Release Air Transport Carbon Roadmap
The UK industry coalition of airlines, airports and other stakeholders is presenting its agenda for achieving net zero carbon emissions during the Sustainable Skies event to be held during April in Farnborough.
Avionics
AeroSync Max Wireless Comms Will Support C4ISR Platform
Astronautics and Nova Systems are installing search and rescue/law enforcement mission systems on an AW139 helicopter for a European operator.
Avionics
RebTech Gets Approval For UH-60 Night Vision Lighting Mod
RebTech's night vision lighting system is being fitted on a UH-60A helicopter operated by HeliStream.
Avionics
Avidyne and IS&S Unveil Helix Avionics Upgrade
A new package for modernizing in-service helicopters combines Avidyne’s Helios flight management system and the IS&S 10.4-inch flat-panel displays.
Aircraft
Airo Group Commits to SPAC-backed Nasdaq Listing
The U.S. group includes eVTOL aircraft developer Jaunt, Aspen Avionics, and several drone operations and flight training subsidiaries.
FutureFlight
Airo Group Tees Up SPAC-backed Nasdaq Initial Public Offering
The U.S. group includes eVTOL aircraft developer Jaunt Air Mobility, Aspen Avionics, and several drone operations and training businesses.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Babcock Will Lease AW139s for Emergency Medical Flights
Leasing group LCI will deliver the twin-engined helicopters in early 2024 to Babcock's operation in Australia.
Rotorcraft
Airbus and International SOS Seek Emergency Medical Progress
The companies' joint LifeSaver program is exploring how response times could be improved for better healthcare outcomes in countries such as Estonia.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MD Helicopters Settles Copyright Case With Aerometals
The companies have agreed to work together to resume supplies of components and parts made by Aerometals for MD's rotorcraft.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Brighter Market Outlook Prompts Airbus To Upgrade Helicopters
The next two decades will see rising rotorcraft demand across multiple sectors, according to the latest market forecast from Airbus Helicopters.
FutureFlight
Crowdfunding Raises $2.5 Million for Doroni's H1 Personal eVTOL Aircraft
After an initial tethered hover flight with a technology demonstrator, the U.S. start-up is refining the design for the prototype it is building for piloted flight testing.
Aircraft
Vertical Flight Leader Believes Technology Will Transform Sector
Vertical Flight Society executive director Mike Hirschberg has led the group's intent focus on new eVTOL aircraft and efforts to recruit new talent.
FutureFlight
Lockheed Martin Backs Megawatt-class Electric Propulsion Developer H3X
The U.S. start-up is working on motor drives rated at up to three megawatts that it says could provide all-electric power to airliners carrying up to 100 passengers.
FutureFlight
Aeromedical Group CareFlight Backs Development Work for Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft
AMSL Aero recently achieved a first tethered hover flight with a prototype of its Vertiia eVTOL vehicle, which it aims to get into commercial service in 2026.
Aircraft
New eVTOL Aircraft Set to Co-exist Alongside Helicopters
Helicopter operators worldwide have started to make plans to add new eVTOL aircraft into their fleets, only in some cases replacing existing rotorcraft.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight Claims eVTOL Flight Distance Record with Latest Prosperity I Prototype
The China-based company is building more of its Generation 4 prototype aircraft to expand flight testing to locations including Napa in California.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Scientists Warn of Complex Challenges in Breaking Aviation's Dependence on Fossil Fuels
A paper published by the UK's Royal Society warns that efforts to introduce greener fuels could result in new pressure on resources such as farmland.
FutureFlight
KinectAir Plans to Add Electra's eSTOL Aircraft to Its Charter Booking Network
KinectAir says that its network of Part 135 operators could jointly acquire and operate up to 30 of the nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft, which need just 300 feet to takeoff and land.
Charter & Fractional
KinectAir Plans To Add Electra eSTOLs to Charter Network
KinectAir plans to use Electra’s nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft to develop point-to-point regional air mobility services in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Environment
Report: Aviation's Net-zero Goal Not Easily Achievable
Aviation must take a multi-pronged approach to reach net-zero and even then the path will be fraught with technological and practical difficulties.
FutureFlight
Kite Unveils Lightweight Air-cooled Electric Propulsion System
The Australian start-up revealed its 120-kilowatt KM-120 propulsion system on the first day of this week's Avalon Air Show near Melbourne.
