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
SkyGrid Introduces Mission Application to Support Unmanned Aircraft Operations
The app uses artificial intelligence to simplify the multiple tasks involved in planning and executing flights.
Aircraft
Bell and Xwing Complete NASA Unmanned Demo with APT 70
After demonstrating its detect-and-avoid capability on Bell's APT 70 cargo drone, Xwing is preparing to start flight trials in a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.
FutureFlight
Bell and Xwing Complete NASA Detect and Avoid Flights with APT 70
Flights were made in unsegregated, busy airspace in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and involved operations in Class B airspace and with air traffic control clearances.
FutureFlight
Japan Airlines Teams with Volocopter to Prepare for Launch of eVTOL Air Taxi Operations
The two companies believe they can begin commercial urban air mobility services by September 2023.
FutureFlight
Sabrewing Signs Launch Order for Rhaegal eVTOL Freighter
Saudi Arabia-based Arabian Development & Marketing Co. has become the distributor for the Rhaegal-B in the GCC states and Africa.
FutureFlight
Reliable Robotics Says Its Flight Management System Can Change the Autonomous Flight Equation
The California-based startup says its technology proves that autonomous flight can be safe, reliable and adaptable to different aircraft platforms.
FutureFlight
Eco Helicopters Set to Electrify the R44 Helicopter For UAM Service
The California-based operator will launch its air taxi services with the piston-powered aircraft, before getting approval for a new electric version of the four-seater.
FutureFlight
ZeroAvia Makes First Hydrogen Test Flight With Piper Malibu Technology Demonstrator
The six-seater aircraft took off from ZeroAvia's UK development base with a complete propulsion system including hydrogen fuel cells.
Aircraft
ZeroAvia Hydrogen Flight Paves Way to 2023 Service Entry
On September 24, ZeroAvia made a first hydrogen-powered flight with a six-seat Piper Malibu powered by its new hydrogen propulsion system.
FutureFlight
Vertical Teams with Warwick University to Develop Supercharger for eVTOL Aircraft
Vertical Aerospace intends to test the unit on its VA-1X eVTOL aircraft, which is due to enter service by the end of 2024.
FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Recruits Fuel Cell Specialist Plug Power for Its Aircraft Retrofit Plan
Plug Power has extensive experience developing hydrogen fuel cell stack technology for ground-based e-mobility applications, including for carmaker BMW.
FutureFlight
Toyota Targets New Autonomous Mobility Investments
The Japanese automaker's $800 million growth-stage Woven Capital Fund could make further investments in urban air mobility.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Aerospace Giants Appear to Be Taking Divergent Paths On Their Journeys to Sustainable Aviation
Announcements over the past week suggest that Airbus is doubling down on investments in zero-carbon propulsion, while Boeing seems to be taking a more conservative approach for both financial and technological reasons.
Aircraft
Heart Unveils Electric Propulsion System for ES-19 Airliner
Sweden-based Heart says it will have the 19-seat, four-engine, fixed-wing aircraft ready to start commercial operations from the summer of 2026.
FutureFlight
Heart Aerospace Advances Plans For ES-19 Electric Regional Airliner
The Sweden-based start-up has developed its own electric propulsion system for a 19-seat aircraft that will initially operate on routes of up to around 250 miles.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
UK Bizav Faces Brexit Uncertainties as EU Talks Struggle
The British Business and General Aviation Association discussed multiple question marks hanging over the industry with the Brexit transition set to end.
FutureFlight
Airbus Plans For Hydrogen Airliners in Service By 2035, But May Still Develop An All-electric eVTOL
Airbus says it will complete flight testing of its CityAirbus eVTOL technology demonstrator, despite committing to hydrogen propulsion for larger airliners.
FutureFlight
Turkey's Baykar Plans Larger Flying Car Prototype After Cezeri First Flight
The company achieved an initial untethered flight with a scaled model of its Cezeri flying car in Istanbul on September 15.
Aircraft
Airbus Commits to Hydrogen Airliners Entering Service in 2035
Airbus unveiled three concepts for the aircraft, which could carry between 100 and 200 passengers on flights of up to around 2,000 nm.
Charter & Fractional
EBAA Survey Highlights Business Travel Expectations
More than half of responses to an EBAA survey see growth in business travel over the next five years, and many expect progress with electric aviation.
Aircraft
Conversion Plan Set To Promote Early Switch to Hydrogen Fuel
Universal Hydrogen proposes converting Dash 8 and ATR 42 regional airliners to hydrogen power while avoiding the need for costly refueling infrastructure.
FutureFlight
General Motors Hints at Offering Ultium Batteries for eVTOL Aircraft
GM chief executive told an investment conference this week that the carmaker sees aerial mobility applications for its new electric batteries.
FutureFlight
Boeing Pulls Plug On NeXt Innovation Group, Casting Doubts On Its Urban Air Mobility Plans
Boeing says it will be gradually shutting its Boeing NeXt unit, but still needs to consider its commitment to Wisk, Aurora Flight Sciences and Aerion.
FutureFlight
Lockheed Martin Backs Sensor Specialist Hidden Level to Support Autonomous Flight
Lockheed Martin Ventures has made an investment in Hidden Level to kick off a Series A funding round.
Aircraft
Boeing NeXt To Close, Raising Doubts over eVTOL Activities
The closure of Boeing NeXt raises questions about the aerospace giant's future in the eVTOL aircraft and supersonic business jet sectors.
FutureFlight
New Fuel Distribution Plan Would Avoid Prohibitive Infrastructure Costs For Hydrogen Aircraft
Universal Hydrogen proposes to convert aircraft to allow fueling by hydrogen via modules supplied directly from fuel hubs.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Starts Taking Reservations for Early eVTOL Aircraft Flights
The company is accepting an initial 1,000 bookings for flights in its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft, indicating service launch will happen within "two or three years."
FutureFlight On The Radar
Australia's Deakin University Mobility Experts Assess the Case for Advanced Aerial Mobility
Their white paper addresses the potential for eVTOL aircraft to transform transportation options in the country, but questions still remain as to when ride-hailing pioneer Uber may launch trials in Melbourne.
FutureFlight
Ampaire's New Electric EEL Demonstrator Flies Ahead of Hawaii Trials
Ampaire says it has introduced improvements to the second technology demonstrator of its Electric EEL aircraft based on Cessna's 337 Skymaster.
Aircraft
Military Materials, Mods Could Cut Airliner Fuel Burn
Alpine Advanced Materials is pressing the case for its HX5 composite, while sister company Metro Aerospace is looking to cut drag with its Microvane mod.
