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
Current Air Traffic Management Technology and Structures Are Inadequate for Urban Air Mobility
In its new white paper, German startup D3 argues that a new and fully integrated approach to air traffic management is required to support urban air mobility's anticipated growth.
Charter & Fractional
Lilium Unveils Plans for Florida Air Mobility Network
An Orlando-area vertiport is set to be the first part of a new air mobility network across Florida planned by eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium.
FutureFlight
Klein Vision Starts Flight Testing Two-Seater Sports Car
The company says its AirCar will be able to transition from road to flight mode in under three minutes.
FutureFlight
New Aircraft Developers Weigh the Case for Autonomous Operations
Some favor a gradual approach to flight autonomy, but others are saying the case for it is already established.
Accidents
ICAO Tells Iran To Expedite PS752 Shoot Down Investigation
The ICAO Council called on Iranian officials to publish a complete report into the shooting down of Ukrainian International Airlines flight from Tehran,
FutureFlight
Electra Takes the Short Takeoff and Landing Path to Advanced Air Mobility
The startup aims to have a six-seat, hybrid electric aircraft in service by the end of 2026.
FutureFlight
Spanish Cities Selected For Air Taxi Flight Trials in 2022
The country's air navigation agency, Enaire, has said it will run eVTOL aircraft demonstrations in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela.
Regulations and Government
EU May Use Aviation as a Stick to Force UK Brexit Compliance
EU leaders may impose new restrictions on the UK air transport sector in retaliation for what they view as breaches of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
FutureFlight
Airbus Noise Reduction For Helicopters Will Also Guide eVTOL Design
Airbus is exploring both new technology and operating methods to make helicopters quieter.
Airlines
Air Freight Demand Contrasts with Dismal Passenger Traffic
IATA's latest traffic figures for September show encouraging demand for air freight, while Covid continues to blight passenger services.
FutureFlight
Joby Files a Flurry of eVTOL Technology Patent Applications
The company now has almost 60 U.S. patents either granted or pending, with six new applications having been filed last month.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Vancouver's Pioneers Make the Case For Inclusive Advanced Air Mobility
A new white paper from the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium makes the case that Vancouver is an ideal launch pad for this new mode of air transportation.
FutureFlight
VoltAero Recruits Aerostructures Group Sonaca for Cassio Production
The airframe for the Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft will be more aerodynamic than the current Cassio 1 testbed.
Aircraft
Embraer Steps Up Plans for New Regional Turboprop Airliner
The Brazilian airframer is working with prospective partners on a plan to bring a new twin turboprop into service by 2027.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi Suspends Development of SpaceJet M90 Airliner
Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said it may resume work on the long-delayed narrowbody airliner when the air transport market recovers.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Selects Small Business Teams For eVTOL R&D Contracts
Just over 250 teams consisting of small firms and universities have been chosen to work on various technologies to support eVTOL aircraft development.
Aircraft
Airbus Says It Is Rebalanced for Covid Market Conditions
Despite declining revenue and earnings in the first three quarters of 2020, Airbus says it is making progress in harsh Covid trading conditions.
FutureFlight
China's Aviation Regulator Establishes Unmanned Aviation Zones
Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer EHang will be one of the main beneficiaries of a decision by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
FutureFlight
New UK Government Funding Offered for Carbon-reducing Aviation Technology
The UK's Aerospace Technology Institute is preparing to consider a fresh round of applications for R&D funding from smaller aviation businesses.
FutureFlight
Falck Plans to Use eVTOL Aircraft for Emergency Response by 2025
The Danish emergency response and healthcare group is already employing drones to support operations worldwide.
Aircraft
3Q 2020 Saw a New Low in Airliner Orders and Deliveries
UK industry group ADS says Covid testing for airline passengers is the only way to rebuild consumer confidence and reverse decline in the aviation sector.
FutureFlight On The Radar
ASTM International Workshop Will Cover Means of Compliance for eVTOL Aircraft Certification
The November 2 event will provide a forum for developers of these aircraft to address how gaps in consensus safety standards are now being filled.
FutureFlight
Pipistrel Chooses Honeywell Fly-by-Wire for Nuuva V300 Cargo UAS
Honeywell's role in the Slovenian company's UAS and eVTOL programs represents one of the first projects for its new UAS/UAM business unit.
FutureFlight
Consultant Assesses Barriers to eVTOL Operations in Dubai
FEV Consulting's Denis Heckmann focused on challenges facing Dubai's plans for urban air mobility.
FutureFlight
Roland Berger Sees UAM Investment Slowing but Long-term Progress Assured
The Europe-based transportation consultancy sees the urban air mobility market being worth $90 billion over the next 30 years.
FutureFlight
VoltAero's Cassio Set for Tour-de-France Demonstration Tour
The Cassio technology demonstrator will visit 10 cities all around France to show local business and political leaders its potential.
FutureFlight
Uber Watchers Look For Clues About Its Next UAM Moves
In a conference this month, Uber Elevate's head of engineering seemed to temper expectations regarding the pace and scale of its plans to launch urban air mobility services.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Hyundai Executive Sheds Light on the Carmaker's Urban Air Mobility Plans
Pamela Cohn, COO of Hyundai's new Urban Air Mobility Division, addressed questions posed by the Roland Berger consultancy.
Airlines
Europe's Airlines Barely Surviving, Recovery Hopes Fading
Industry leaders complained about fragmentation in national government Covid regulations.
FutureFlight
Supersonic Bizjet Pioneer Aerion Teams With eSTOL Developer Electra
Aerion envisages eSTOL and eVTOL aircraft transporting passengers to and from its long-range AS2 supersonic jet, which is set to enter service in 2027.
