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
Apus Wins Strategic Funding for Family of Hydrogen-powered Aircraft
The German company is working on fuel-cell-based propulsion systems for a pair of fixed-wing aircraft aimed at the general aviation and regional airline markets.
FutureFlight
Jetoptera Makes Progress with Propulsion System for U.S. Military's HSVTOL Aircraft
The U.S. start-up is preparing to conduct wind-tunnel tests with a subscale model of its patented Fluidic Propulsion System. It says the system will support unprecedentedly high speeds, while also delivering reduced noise and emissions.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Latest FAA Heliport Guidance Does Not Include Vertiports For eVTOL Aircraft
The U.S. air safety agency says that for now the advanced air mobility sector should consult with its Office of Airports and Flight Standards.
Airports
Airbus Tests Autonomous Flight Diversions, Taxiway Support
The aircraft maker's DragonFly technology could enable automated diversions in response to medical emergencies and improve safety at busy airports.
FutureFlight
Parker Meggitt Develops Energy Buffer for Airbus's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion System
The company aims to have a prototype of its eBuffer system ready to start ground testing in 2023, and another unit ready for flight testing in 2025 with the chosen ZeroE demonstrator aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Archer Details eVTOL Program Milestones That Will Release Stellantis Funding
An 8K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission explains what the eVTOL aircraft developer must do to access up to $150 million in fresh capital from the automotive group.
FutureFlight
LCI To Add Elroy Air Chaparral eVTOL Aircraft to Lease Portfolio
The hybrid-electric aircraft, which could complete certification by the end of 2023, will have a payload of around 500 pounds and a range of 300 nm. It is intended for autonomous or remotely piloted operations.
FutureFlight
Destinus Files New Flight Plan to Bring Hypersonic Aircraft to Market
The European start-up expects to begin flight testing the latest prototype of its hydrogen propulsion system in February, as it prioritizes work on a passenger airliner that could shrink the globe by flying at five times the speed of sound.
Airports
London Airports Aim To Boost Business Aviation Workforce
Farnborough and Biggin Hill are both holding careers events in a bid to recruit talent to the industry.
FutureFlight
Drone Flight Trials in Cornwall Could Build a Template for a Nationwide UK Network
The flight trials will aim to demonstrate how uncrewed air vehicles could be used for missions such as making deliveries for the National Health Service and the Royal Mail.
FutureFlight
Electric Aircraft Charging Expert Calls For Standardized Approach
Electro is urging eVTOL aircraft developers not plan carefully for recharging batteries, cautioning that the approach already in use for cars won't work in the aviation sector.
FutureFlight
FAA Clears Reliable Robotics for Next Stage of Remote Operations Approval
The company plans to convert existing aircraft, such as the Cessna Caravan, to be remotely operated with an autopilot engaged for all phases of flight.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Publishes Proposed Revisions to VTOL Special Condition and Means of Compliance Document
The latest version of the European air safety agency's draft certification requirements covering new eVTOL aircraft includes changes made following a consultation process conducted in mid-2022, and further consultation is planned for 2023.
FutureFlight
Advanced Air Mobility Pioneers Embark On Another Decisive Year
2023 looks set to test the credibility of ambitious targets set by developers of new electric and autonomous aircraft as certification and financial challenges loom large.
Charter & Fractional
UK Group Demands Tenfold Tax Hike for Air Charter Flights
The Campaign for Better Transport also wants UK commercial business aircraft operators to lose their exemption from value-added tax.
Aircraft
Hydrogen Demonstrator Flights Set To Start in the New Year
ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen plan to fly their respective hydrogen-powered regional airliners early next year.
Aircraft
Hydrogen Demo Flights Now Set to Start in the New Year
After aiming to kick off flight test programs of hydrogen-powered aircraft by year's end, Universal Hydrogen and ZeroAvia are now eyeing early next year.
EHang and Eve End Year with Fresh Funding
New share issues and lines of credit were announced last week of 2022 as both companies manage the cost of bringing electric aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
Hydrogen Technology Demonstrator Flights Now Set to Start in the New Year
After aiming to begin flight testing converted twin turboprop regional airliners before the end of 2022, both ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen are now looking to make their first test flights in January.
FutureFlight
Fresh Funding Announced For eVTOL Aircraft Developers EHang and Eve
New share issues and lines of credit were announced at the start of the last week of 2022 as both companies manage the cost of bringing new electric aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
Airports Group Gears Up For Demand-led Vertiport Development Plans
Ferrovial, which designs, builds and operates airports, railways and highways worldwide, is already doing preliminary vertiport development work with some 30 prospective partners in the advanced air mobility sector.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Vertical Flight Society White Paper Proposes Flight Plan For Airport Hydrogen Fuel Hubs
After almost 12 months work the technical society's H2 Aero Team has published a white paper addressing what it will take to step up the development of hydrogen fueling infrastructure and processes for aviation.
Aircraft
Appropriations Deal Eases Boeing's Max Cert Burden
An amendment to the U.S. Congress's Appropriations Bill does away with a requirement for a crew alerting system upgrade for the Max 7 and Max 10 airliners.
Aircraft
Pratt & Whitney Runs First Hybrid-Electric Engine Ground Test
Pratt & Whitney, along with sister company Collins, prepare for flight testing of the first hybrid-electric propulsion system on a Dash 8 aircraft in 2024.
Airlines
Aviation Climate Taskforce Will Fund Decarbonization Projects
Ten major airlines are backing a not-for-profit group deploying funds to accelerate research and development projects aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
FutureFlight
Spanish Airlines Back Plans to Convert Regional Aircraft to Electric Propulsion
Air Nostrum and Volotea have taken a minority stake in Dante Aeronautical, following recent backing by Australia's Rex Regional Express for its sister company Dovetail Electric Aviation.
FutureFlight
Air Traffic Management Planning For European eVTOL and Drone Operations Set to Continue in 2023
Volocopter and other advanced air mobility pioneers are using flight trials across Europe to prepare all stakeholders for new air taxi and cargo delivery services in major cities like Paris.
Aircraft
Mesa Switches Regional Alliance From American to United
Mesa Airlines is ending its 30-year partnership with American Airlines and will redeploy its CRJ-900 fleet to fly regional routes for United Express.
FutureFlight
Airline Group Backs Reliable Robotics in Making the Case For Remotely-operated Aircraft
With a fleet of 130 aircraft, ASL Aviation Holdings will engage with other prospective customers for plans to convert existing flight decks with the Reliable Robotics advanced navigation and autoflight system.
FutureFlight On The Radar
U.S. Electric Aviation Pioneers Seek Federal Backing for Zero-emissions Efforts
A group of 15 companies has written to the U.S. transportation and energy departments, demanding that they keep up with European funding for green aviation technology.
