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
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.
FutureFlight
Solithor Joins Forces with Aerostructures Group Sonaca to Develop Pouch-cell Batteries
The Belgium-based companies aim to be ready to test a technology demonstrator with an electric aircraft manufacturer between 2027 and 2029.
Aircraft
UAE Backs Plans for Speeder Family of Air Utility VTOLs
In addition to the first P2 model, Mayman Aerospace is working on new Speeder models including the Micro, Cargo and Endurance Class aircraft.
FutureFlight
Collins Aerospace Will Developer Sidestick Flight Controls For Lilium's eVTOL Aircraft
The supplier has extensive experience of developing sidestick controls for multiple commercial aircraft and joins a growing list of experience aerospace groups contributing to the Lilium Jet.
FutureFlight
UAE Backs Mayman's Plans for Speeder VTOL Air Utility Vehicle
The Tawazan Council's Strategic Development Fund is investing $3 million in the California start-up's work to certify the quad-bike-sized VTOL aircraft.
Avionics
Skyryse Gets FAA Nod for FlightOS STC Applications
Skyryse aims to install its FlightOS automated flight deck on existing aircraft such as the Robinson R66 helicopter.
FutureFlight
FAA Confirms Skyryse Automated Flight Control System Meets Means-of-compliance Requirements
A successful system review of the company's FlightOS technology gives the company a clear path to securing supplemental type certificates to convert existing aircraft, starting with the Robinson R66 light helicopter.
Aircraft
China's Haite MRO Joins A321 Freighter Conversion Network
Under an agreement with Elbe Flugzeugwerke, the first A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion project will start at the Tianjin facility later this year.
FutureFlight
Momentum Builds for eVTOL Aircraft Operations in Japan
This week, eVTOL aircraft developers Volocopter, SkyDrive, EHang and Vertical Aerospace have all enjoyed progress in their efforts to gain market share in the country's emerging advanced air mobility sector.
FutureFlight On The Radar
UK Publishes Airspace Integration Manifesto To Unlock Potential for New Air Transportation Use Cases
UK Research and Innovation's Future Aviation Industry Working Group has published a detailed list of steps needed over the next five years to integrate new aircraft and business models into the national airspace.
FutureFlight
UK's Birmingham Airport Makes Plans To Support Hydrogen-powered Regional Flights
The airport in central England has allocated land to be used to establish hydrogen refueling infrastructure and conduct trial operations.
FutureFlight
5G Implementation Debacle Poses Important Lessons For Advanced Air Mobility Flight Operations
The head of aeronautics standards organization RTCA says the aviation industry can no longer operate in isolation from other sectors such as high-tech communications.
FutureFlight
Airbus Steps Up Delivery of eVTOL Aircraft Prototype and Operational Ecosystem
The European group is about to start receiving parts from suppliers as it prepares to begin final assembly of the first CityAirbus NextGen prototype ahead of flight testing in 2024.
FutureFlight
Safran Completes Ground Testing of Tech TP Hybrid Electric Powertrain For Regional Airliners
The technology demonstrator is based on Safran Helicopter Engines' Ardiden-3 turboshaft engine family, incorporating electrical power, and could lead to a new propulsion system for 19-seat fixed-wing aircraft.
Aircraft
Safran Tests 'More Electric' Turboprop
The Tech TP technology demonstrator is based on Safran Helicopter Engines' Ardiden-3 turboshaft engine family, incorporating electrical power.
Aircraft
Airbus Sustains Recovery Despite Russia War Headwinds
The European aerospace and defense group's CEO Guillaume Faury warned it will face more complexity and disruption risk during 2023.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Airbus Bullish on Rotorcraft Market as Earnings Grow
Growing demand in the private and business aviation sectors are key factors in the manufacturer's expectations for recovery in the helicopter market.
FutureFlight
Dubai Ruler Gives Go-ahead for Vertiport Network Plans
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, working with ground infrastructure group Skyports, has identified four initial sites to build vertiports to support eVTOL air taxi services that are expected to start in 2026.
FutureFlight
Beta and Blade Air Mobility Demonstrate Alia-250 eVTOL Aircraft In New York Area
The six-passenger vehicle flew from Westchester-County Airport, which is within range of New York City, to demonstrate the potential for air taxi services.
Aircraft
Air India Turns to Airbus for Major Fleet Renewal Order
The carrier is buying 250 new narrow- and widebody aircraft, including a mix of 140 A320neos, 70 A321neo, 34 A350-1000s and 6 A350-900s.
FutureFlight
Joby Starts Final Assembly of Company-Conforming eVTOL Aircraft
At its Marina, California facility, the company has begun to mate the all-electric, four-passenger aircraft's wing, tail, and fuselage.
