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
Aircraft
Hybrid-electric Ampaire Eco Caravan Makes First Flight
The Eco Caravan made a first flight on November 18, marking a key waypoint in Ampaire’s efforts to bring the converted hybrid-electric aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
Surf Air Mobility Goes It Alone With Share Flotation After SPAC Deal Collapses
The flight booking platform and special purpose acquisition company Tuscan Holdings Corporation II have abandoned their plants for a $1.42 billion merger.
FutureFlight
Lilium Raises $119 Million For eVTOL Aircraft Program With New Share Issue
The German start-up issued more than 91 million new Class A shares priced at $1.30 in a capital raise backed by a mix of new and existing shareholders, including several board directors.
Aircraft
Gulf Region Buys Into Advanced Air Mobility Vision
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, companies are investing time and effort to get eVTOL air services up and running with all-electric aircraft in 2025.
FutureFlight
Archer Picks Garmin Flight Deck for Midnight eVTOL Aircraft
The G3000 avionics suite, which is already used for multiple business aircraft, has also been selected by rival eVTOL aircraft developer Joby.
FutureFlight
Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Drone Tests Could Clear the Way for Larger Aircraft
GKN Aerospace used a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack to test the use of liquid hydrogen fuel on a ground-based testbed representing a search-and-rescue drone.
FutureFlight
Evia Aero Backs Cranfield Plans for Larger Hydrogen-powered Regional Airliner
The German carrier has agreed to take 10 hydrogen-powered 19-seat aircraft being developed by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, in addition to 15 of its planned conversions of the nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islanders.
FutureFlight
France's BeautHyFuel Green Aviation Project Pursues Cryogenic Hydrogen Propulsion Goals
The next step on a journey toward hydrogen-powered aircraft will start with the planned first flight in 2023 of an Elixir light airplane powered by a new TP-90 turbine engine.
Aircraft
European Protestors Block Business Aviation Airports
European environmental groups demanding a ban on all private jet flights this week tried to disrupt airports in the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands.
FutureFlight
Axial-Flux Motors Can Deliver the Power Density Aviation Needs, Says Automotive Spin-off
Evolito has new financial backing to advance its plans for the electric aviation sector, where it believes the superior power density of its electric propulsion units will be transformative in delivering more range and payload.
Aircraft
China Approves Embraer's E190-E2 Airliner At Zhuhai Airshow
This week the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued type certificates to ATR and Embraer, as Boeing's 737 Max remains grounded in the country.
Accidents
SJ-182 Crash Highlights Throttle Failure and Crew Error
Indonesian air accident investigators published their final report into Sriwijaya Air's fatal accident in January 2021 involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft.
FutureFlight
Vertical Aerospace Prepares To Expand eVTOL Aircraft Flight Testing
The company is currently employing ground power for tethered hover trials as it prepares to start using Rolls-Royce's new electric propulsion system in untethered flight tests.
FutureFlight
Vertiport Testbed Opens for Paris Air Mobility Development Project
Skyports has installed a vertiport at the Paris-area Pointoise-Cormeilles Airport to support the Re.Invent Air Mobility project. That project intends to launch eVTOL air services during the 2024 Olympic Games, which will be hosted by the French capital.
FutureFlight On The Radar
FAA Reveals eVTOL Airworthiness Criteria in Proposed Type Certification Basis for Joby's Aircraft
The U.S. air safety regulator published proposals for type certifying eVTOL aircraft and has given stakeholders until December 8 to comment on its plans.
Aircraft
Chinese Regulator Approves ATR 42-600 Regional Airliner
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has opened the door for the European airframer to re-enter the Chinese air transport market.
FutureFlight
Swiss Start-up Unveils Plans and Seeks Backers for Electric Seaplane
Jekta says its PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft would have a range of up to around 150 kilometers and would support new, cost-effective air connections between communities located near seas, lakes, and rivers.
Accidents
Fatalities Confirmed After Airliner Crashes in Africa's Lake Victoria
An ATR42-500 twin turboprop operated by Precision Air crashed on approach to Bukoba Airport in Tanzania, killing 19 of the 43 people on board.
FutureFlight
Medical Delivery Group Signs Up as U.S. Launch Operator for Aero2 Drone
Air Methods' uncrewed aircraft subsidiary Spright has agreed to buy up to 140 of the Aero2 tiltwing models being developed by Swiss start-up Dufour Aerospace.
FutureFlight
Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft's Developers Seek To Maximize Range and Cost-efficient Operations
AMSL is working on a distinctive design that it says will meet the air transportation needs of a large and diverse country like Australia.
FutureFlight
Aircraft Finance and Leasing Group Signs for Cranfield's Hydrogen-powered Islanders
The Monte group has added Cranfield Aerospace's planned conversion of the Britten-Norman Islander to a prospective portfolio that could also include electrified versions of the Cessna Caravan and the Dornier 228 regional aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
UK Study Charts How eVTOL and eSTOL Aircraft Could Transform Public Transportation
UK Research and Innovation commissioned EAMaven to examine the business case for 20 prospective advanced air mobility routes in 20 British cities and regions.
FutureFlight
VoltAero Secures €32 Million and Production Partner for Hybrid-electric Cassio Aircraft
Through a Series B funding round, the French start-up has raised cash to support plans for its family of fixed-wing regional aircraft.
FutureFlight
Textron eAviation Wants to Lead Mainstream Business Aviation to an Advanced Air Mobility Future
Along with Embraer, the U.S. group is the only established private aircraft maker to so far embrace electric and autonomous technology.
Aircraft
Tecnam Opens Order Book for P2012 STOL Aircraft
The Italian manufacturer says the new variant of the Traveller piston twin meets all the latest requirements for short takeoff and landing performance.
Aircraft
Parker Sees New Electric Aircraft as Technology Hotbed
Parker Aerospace has expanded its capabilities in sustainable aviation technology following its recent acquisition of Meggitt.
Aircraft
BAE Develops Flight Controls for Supernal eVTOL
Aerospace group BAE is designing a lightweight, fly-by-wire system for the five-seat eVTOL vehicle being developed by Hyundai Motor subsidiary Supernal.
Aircraft
Advanced Air Mobility Pioneers Point To Bizav's Future
Developers of new eVTOL and eSTOL aircraft got a lot of attention at this week's NBAA-BACE.
Aircraft
Textron Powers Up Advanced Air Mobility Portfolio
Textron Aviation is building a strong portfolio of new electric and autonomous aircraft, including the redesigned Nexus eVTOL model.
Aircraft
Charter Group Welojets Plans To Operate Electra eSTOL
Private charter operator Welojets became the latest prospective customer for Electra's nine-passenger hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft.
