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
Airports
Skyportz, Arup Advance Plans for eVTOL Infrastructure
Property developers In Australia are being encouraged to build rooftop landing sites that will be ready to receive eVTOL aircraft when these are approved.
FutureFlight
Helicopter Rideshare Program Sees eVTOL Aircraft as Charter Sector's Green Future
Rideshare service Ascent is looking to launch commercial eVTOL aircraft operations in Southeast Asia.
FutureFlight
EHang's 216 Autonomous eVTOL Carries Medical Supplies to Chinese Hospital
An EHang 216 aircraft has been used to carry medical supplies as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
FutureFlight
Russians Prepare to Start Superconductor Electric Motor Flight Testing
Russia's defense research agency and superconductor specialist SuperOx say their 500 kW motor will outperform existing technology.
Engines
Russia Prepares for Superconductor Electric Motor Trials
Electric motors using high temperature superconductors could find applications on existing aircraft as well as new eVTOL designs.
Aircraft
Bombardier, Gulfstream Bizjets Vie For Collier Trophy
The latest Global 7500 and G500/600 business jets could be honored with the 2019 Collier Trophy, but also in contention is eVTOL pioneer Kitty Hawk.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Volocopter's eVTOL Plans Boosted by $113 Million Investment
Volocopter has now raised $159 million for its Volocity eVTOL aircraft program and is launching a feasibility study for operations in southeast Asia.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Launches Southeast Asia Urban Air Mobility Feasibility Study With App Provider Grab
The study may lead to the companies jointly launching eVTOL air taxi services.
FutureFlight
ASX Partners With Spirit AeroSystems to Produce the Mobi-One eVTOL Aircraft
Experienced aerostructures group Spirit will provide design, manufacturing and type certification support
Aircraft
Spirit Partners with ASX To Develop Mobi-One eVTOL
ASX is set to launch a Series A funding round after announcing a partnership with leading aerostructures group Spirit AeroSystems.
Airports
VFS, CAMI Hold Urban Air Mobility Infrastructure Workshops
The Vertical Flight Society's workshop on urban air mobility infrastructure will feature FAA leaders, plus engineering, planning and architectural experts.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Aviation Disruptors Set To Gather for Revolution.Aero Conference
The Revolution.Aero Europe conference in London brings together urban air mobility pioneers with leaders from the investment community.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
ICAO Says Coronavirus Is Hitting Air Transport Harder Than SARS
ICAO says that airline capacity in and out of China during the first quarter of 2020 is set to be between 39 and 41 percent down on the same period in 2019
FutureFlight On The Radar
Possible New Toyota eVTOL Design Spotted in the Mojave Desert
A mystery aircraft, registered to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, has been photographed at the Mojave Air & Space Port. It may be part of Toyota's plans in the eVTOL market and appears to be design for cargo-carrying applications.
Aircraft
Bombardier Quits Commercial Aviation as Airbus Takes Control of A220
Bombardier has sold its remaining stake in the A220 airliner program, with Airbus and the government of Quebec now having full ownership.
FutureFlight
Singapore Partners With Airbus to Further Develop Plans to Launch Urban Air Mobility Services
Airbus and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore signed a new memorandum of understanding during the Singapore Air Show.
FutureFlight
SkyGrid Adds Local Weather Data to Autonomous Aircraft Operations Support System
Artificial intelligence specialist SkyGrid has partnered with ClimaCell to add hyper-local weather data to its software for unmanned aircraft operators.
Aircraft
Air Baltic A220 Flight Diverts After Latest PW1500G Shutdown
The captain of an Air Baltic A220 narrowbody shut down the left PW1500G engine before diverting to Bordeaux on a fight from Riga to Malaga.
Aircraft
Airbus Restarts A320 Assembly in China as Virus Hits Airlines
Airbus is gradually resuming A320 assembly work at its factory in China, but the scale of disruption to the aerospace supply chain remains uncertain.
FutureFlight
New Flirtey Patent Covers Error Detection Capability to Trigger Drone Safety Mechanism
Drone delivery specialist Flirtey now has 25 granted and pending patents covering technology for unmanned aerial systems.
FutureFlight
Bell Teams With Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation on Air Mobility Project
Japan Airlines and conglomerate Sumitomo are to jointly explore so-called Mobility-as-a-Service concepts.
FutureFlight
Bell Unveils Redesigned Nexus 4EX eVTOL Design As Part of Revamped Urban Air Mobility Program
The new Nexus design is for an all-electric aircraft with four tilting ducted fans.
Aircraft
Bell Partners With Japan Airlines and Sumitomo on Air Mobility
A memorandum of understanding between Bell, Japan Airlines and Sumitomo covers work to developing an ecosystem for urban air mobility services.
Airlines
Sichuan Airlines' New A350s Will Feature Thales's Core IFE
Thales will install its latest Core IFE inflight entertainment systems on Sichuan Airlines' A350s, which are due to enter service at the end of 2021.
FutureFlight
Drones Enlisted to Support Medical Teams in China's Battle Against the Coronavirus
The use of unmanned aircraft could boost public's perception of their value to society.
FutureFlight
New European Trade Show Embraces eVTOL Aircraft
The new European Rotors show will focus on eVTOL aircraft and urban air mobility in addition to the existing helicopter industry.
Airlines
Aviation Industry Braces for Full Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak
The Coronavirus outbreak has already resulted in a steep dip in airline traffic in China and disruption to the aerospace supply chain.
Avionics
Emergency Locator Transmitter Confirms Signal Received
Orolia's new Kannad Ultima-S ELT system is compatible with Galileo's satellite network and confirms receipt of distress signals.
Aircraft
Asia-Pacific Stakes Claim to Place in Urban Air Mobility Revolution
Several Asia-Pacific companies are making big investments in urban air mobility technology and the region's cities may be early adopters of eVTOL aircraft.
Aircraft
Airbus On Track for E-Fan X Hybrid-Electric Flight in 2021
Airbus recently completed wind tunnel tests on a scale model of the E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator aircraft, based on the BAe 146 RJ100.
