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
European Commission Funds Avio Aero To Build Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Demonstrator
The GE subsidiary will lead a consortium of 21 companies and institutions in the new Amber project, which is part of Europe's wider Clean Aviation initiative.
FutureFlight
Boom Names Partners to Power Its Overture Supersonic Airliner
Questions remain as to how and where the aircraft's Symphony turbofan engine will be manufactured, but Boom still insists it can get the Overture jet certified in 2029.
Aircraft
United Turns to Boeing for Reboot of Long- and Short-haul Fleet
The U.S. airline will add up to 200 of Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet and 100 of the 737 Max single-aisle jets in a deal worth at least $65 billion.
FutureFlight
Airbus Offers USim Tool for Fast-track Simulation of Advanced Air Mobility Operations
The European aerospace group's Acubed unit has developed USim to help support the safe and efficient integration of uncrewed aircraft into controlled airspace.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Los Angeles' Advanced Air Mobility Pioneers Share Their Inside Track on Transforming Public Transportation
Integrating Advanced Air Mobility: a Primer for Cities is a new publication from the Urban Air Movement Labs public-private partnership working to lay the ground work for eVTOL air taxi services in southern California.
FutureFlight
Embraer Sharpens Focus For Energia Future Aircraft Project
Based on guidance from its advisory board of 20 airlines, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer is prioritizing work on 19- and 30-seat hybrid-electric models and a hydrogen fuel cell application.
FutureFlight
Dubai Advanced Air Mobility 'Integrator Center' Will Support eVTOL Aircraft Operations in the UAE
Infrastructure group VPorts plans to open the facility at Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub adjoining the Al Maktoum International Airport in 2024.
FutureFlight
Airbus's Quest To Cut Carbon from Aviation Now Focuses on Superconductivity Technology
The company's UpNext research and development unit is partnering with the European Laboratory for Particle Physics for its Superconductor for Aviation with Low Emissions project.
Airports
Australian Regulator Consults on Guidelines for Vertiports
The country's air safety regulator has published draft guidelines on the vertiport landing sites that will be used by new eVTOL air taxi services.
FutureFlight
Brazilian Start-up Hatches Family of Hybrid-Electric Cargo Drones
The autonomous Tupan high-speed VTOL vehicles will be able to carry loads of up to 600 kg on flights of up to 1,200 km and at speeds of up to 850 km/h.
FutureFlight
Pre-delivery Payments for Lilium eVTOL Aircraft Will Fund Crucial Development Work in 2023
Reporting third-quarter financial results to shareholders, publicly owned Lilium indicated that 2023 will be a busy and capital-intensive year as it works toward getting its eVTOL air taxi certified in 2025.
Aircraft
Private Aviation Group Volare To Operate Lilium eVTOL Aircraft
Volare will buy up to 20 of the Pioneer Edition executive version of the Lilium Jet and will operate charter flights in the UK and provide maintenance.
FutureFlight
Private Aviation Group Volare to Operate New Pioneer Edition Lilium Jet
The UK-based aircraft management and charter operator's new eVolare division has agreed to add up to 20 of the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to its fleet.
FutureFlight
Savback to Market Speeder VTOL Aircraft For Military Missions in Nordic Countries
The Sweden-based helicopter distributor signed a letter of intent with Mayman Aerospace to buy 25 Speeders in an agreement valued at $45 million.
FutureFlight
Fuel Cell Developer H2Fly to Lead Europe's Project Heaven Hydrogen Aviation Initiative
The German company has started integrating fuel cells and liquid hydrogen tanks onto the HY4 technology demonstrator with plans to start ground testing in 2023.
FutureFlight On The Radar
European Commission Issues Drone Strategy Document for Advanced Air Mobility Planning
The document sets out plans by the executive branch of European Union government to develop operations by uncrewed aircraft across the continent.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Concludes European Urban Air Mobility Airspace Integration Flight Trials
The German eVTOL aircraft developer used its autonomous VoloDrone cargo delivery platform to simulate flights in Frankfurt and London during an exercise at a remote German airfield.
FutureFlight
Airbus Adds Fuel Cell Development to Its Game Plan For Hydrogen Airliners
During its Sustainability Summit in Toulouse, the European aerospace group announced it is stepping up development of a hydrogen propulsion system for medium-sized airliners using fuel cell technology.
FutureFlight
Electric Aviation Pioneers Invited To Compete in Pulitzer Air Race
The National Aeronautic Association wants to use the 1,000-nm race across America as a showcase for electric aviation.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Australian Government Seeks Industry Comments on Draft Guidelines for Vertiports
The country's Civil Aviation Safety Authority is laying the groundwork for regulations that will govern the construction and operation of vertiports used by eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Eve Adds Bluenest to Urban Air Traffic Management Partnership
The eVTOL aircraft developer says it plans to offer an agnostic platform that could be used by any company's vehicle to safely operate in and out of urban vertiports.
Airlines
IATA Slams 30% Increase in North Atlantic Airspace Fees
The airline industry group has demanded that Danish and Icelandic air navigation service providers reverse planned airspace fees averaging 30 percent.
Environment
UK Aerospace Industry Raises Concerns over Political Instability
Member companies of the ADS group say the UK lacks clear political leadership in the face of unprecedented challenges to the industry's competitiveness.
Aircraft
Funding Approved For Hybrid-Electric Geared Turbofan Project
MTU, Pratt & Whitney, Collins, Airbus and GKN are working together on the Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electric project.
FutureFlight
Funding Approved To Develop Hybrid-Electric Turbofan for Narrowbody Airliners
Five major aerospace groups are joining forces for the Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics project to cut fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 25 percent for Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan.
Engines
EasyJet and Rolls-Royce Test Hydrogen Propulsion System
The low-cost airline an the aircraft engines group have completed
Aircraft
Pioneers Push to Accelerate Green and Autonomous Aviation
The race is on to electrify and increasingly automate aircraft, with the first commercial applications now anticipated in the second half of the 2020s.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce and EasyJet Test Hydrogen Propulsion System
The UK-based low-cost carrier and the aircraft engines group are collaborating on plans to develop a direct combustion hydrogen powertrain for narrowbody airliners.
Airlines
Removal of EU Laws Creates Uncertainty for UK's Aviation Sector
Hundreds of European Union aviation-related laws could be scrapped under "sunsetting" provisions in the UK's post-Brexit Retained EU Law Bill.
Aircraft
FAA To Add Powered-lift Aircraft to Air Carrier Category
The FAA has issued a notice of proposed amendment to prepare the way for eVTOL air taxi services with commercial carriers including United Airlines.
