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
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.
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.
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.
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.
FutureFlight
TCab Tech Boosts Funding for E20 eVTOL Aircraft with New and Old Backers
The Chinese start-up has raised an additional $15 million to support plans to certify its five-seat E20 vehicle in 2025.
FutureFlight
VRCO Seeks Space, Partnership, and Funding for XP4 Personal eVTOL Aircraft Development
The UK-based start-up plans a Series A funding round and is preparing to move into a new headquarters and accelerate development work with Spain-based engineering partner CITD.
FutureFlight
Horizon Gets Development and Certification Support for Its Cavorite X5 eVTOL Aircraft
Independent flight test and certification design approval organization CertCenterCanada has agreed to help bring the four-passenger hybrid-electric vehicle to market in 2026.
FutureFlight
How Inflight Medical Emergencies Pose a Safety Management Challenge for eVTOL Aircraft Operators
Inflight medical care specialists like MedAire are trying to determine how best to respond to emergency situations in new types of aircraft, including eVTOL air taxis.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Considers Case For Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Flight automation specialist Reliable Robotics is conducting a feasibility study into how military transport aircraft could fly without a pilot on board.
FutureFlight
Air New Zealand Broadens Its Search For Zero Emissions Regional Aircraft Fleet
The airline has added Embraer, Heart Aerospace and Universal Hydrogen to its Mission Next Generation Aircraft Project, joining existing partners ATR and Airbus.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Explores Remotely Piloted Operations for Cargo Flights
Flight automation pioneer Reliable Robotics is working under a Pentagon contract to assess how large military transport aircraft could operate logistics missions more safely and efficiently without a pilot on board.
Aircraft
European Green Aviation Projects Gain Funds and Momentum
New funding from both the European Union and the UK are fuelling multiple projects aimed at achieving air transport's net zero carbon objectives.
FutureFlight
ARC Confirms Plans for Linx Compound Rotorcraft and eVTOL Cargo Drones
The UK start-up, formerly known as Samad Aerospace, is working on a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft based on a gyroplane concept.
FutureFlight
ZeroAvia and Shell Make Plans To Support Hydrogen Flights from Dutch Airport
The hydrogen propulsion system developer is working with energy group Shell and Rotterdam The Hague Airport to prepare for initial demonstration flights with a regional airliner in 2024, followed by operations with fare-paying passengers in 2025.
