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
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.
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
UK Government Releases New Funding for Hydrogen and Electric Aviation Technology
Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce and eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace are to receive all of the £113.6 million allocated through the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute program.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Moving World Report Makes Pitch for Future Mobility
Venture capital group Up Partners has released the first in a series of annual reports tracking trends in multiple aspects of transportation, including advanced air mobility.
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.
FutureFlight
Net Zero Research and Development Projects Proliferate as Europe Chases a Clean Aviation Future
European Union-funded work kicking off in 2023 will prepare the way for the launch of regional airliners that could change the environmental and economic landscapes for commercial air services.
FutureFlight
Yacht Owners Offered eVTOL Aircraft for Ship-to-Shore Transportation
Two eVTOL vehicle developers, Air and VRCO, this week announced plans to market their all-electric aircraft to the yachting community.
FutureFlight
Volatus Lays Plans for eVTOL Vertiport in Pennsylvania
The company wants to build the facility at Bellefonte Airport, which is close to Penn State University's campus.
FutureFlight
Germany's Stuttgart Airport Will Be Home to a Hydrogen Aviation Center
With almost $6 million in funding from the German state of Baden-Württemberg, hydrogen propulsion specialist H2Fly will build and manage a facility to support the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
FutureFlight
GKN Aerospace To Develop Wiring System for Lilium Jet
The company will make the electrical wiring interconnection system for the eVTOL aircraft at its facility in the Netherlands and then integrate it at Lilium's factory in Germany.
FutureFlight
Japan Airlines Backs Plans for Electric Wing-in-Ground-Effect Sea Gliders
The Asian carrier is investing an undisclosed amount in a U.S. start-up called Regent and assessing how sea gliders operating routes of up to 180 miles could better connect Japan's islands.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Provides More Funding for Electra's eSTOL Aircraft
Under a Strategic Funding Increase, the Afrwerx innovation unit is making up to $85 million available to support the Virginia-based start-up's efforts to build and fly a full-scale preproduction model.
FutureFlight
Japan's SkyDrive Focuses on South Carolina for U.S. eVTOL Services
The company is establishing a base in Beaufort County to explore possible uses for eVTOL air taxi services with its two-seat SD-05 vehicle.
