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.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

The New Zealand government and Wisk today signed a memorandum of understanding for the Cora electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to conduct autonomous passenger-carrying trial flights in the city of Canterbury. Wisk, a joint venture between Boeing and Kitty Hawk, has been testing the all-electric aircraft in New Zealand since 2017&nbsp;and has logged more than 1,000 flights.

 


Officials have not yet said when the first passenger-carrying flights will be made or how passengers will be chosen. However, it is contingent on the Cora completing type certification by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Wisk told&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;that the agreement begins the process through which it will agree the timeline and other arrangements for the flight trials with various government agencies.

 


Wisk New Zealand (formerly Zephyr Airworks) is working with the country’s Ngai Tahu Maori tribe to support science and technology education initiatives and as part of a wider community engagement process. The company also is partnered with flag-carrier Air New Zealand.

 


In October 2019, the New Zealand government announced an Airspace Integration Trial to demonstrate how unmanned aircraft can be safely operated in unmanned airspace and it has now selected Wisk as the first industry partner for this program. The program is being managed by the country’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment in conjunction with the CAA and the Ministry of Transport.

 


“The government sees great potential in the development of an innovative unmanned aircraft sector in New Zealand and we are in a prime position to work with globally-leading companies here to safely test and go to market,” commented research, science, and innovation minister Megan Woods. “As well as the economic and social benefits the growth of this industry offers, we also share Wisk’s vision of a greener, emission-free way for Kiwis and visitors to New Zealand to get around. Enabling the emergence of an entirely electric air taxi service is a natural fit with New Zealand’s zero carbon goal by 2050."

 


"Cora's ability to self-fly, using self-flying software and supervision on the ground, combined with the safe testing already undertaken as part of the certification process, are two of the factors that contributed to Cora being selected for the passenger-transport trial," explained Wisk chief marketing officer Becky Tanner.&nbsp;

 


Cora is expected to fly on routes up to around 60 miles and at speeds of approximately 112 mph. It can carry two passengers.

 


<span style="font-size: 13.008px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: &quot;Arial Narrow&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, AvenirNextCondensed-Regular, sans-serif-condensed, Arial, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; caret-color: rgb(35, 31, 32); text-size-adjust: auto; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit;">This story comes from the new FutureFlight.aero resource developed by&nbsp;<strong style="font-size: 13.008px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: &quot;Arial Narrow&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, AvenirNextCondensed-Regular, sans-serif-condensed, Arial, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; caret-color: rgb(35, 31, 32); text-size-adjust: auto;">AIN<span style="font-size: 13.008px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: &quot;Arial Narrow&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, AvenirNextCondensed-Regular, sans-serif-condensed, Arial, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; caret-color: rgb(35, 31, 32); text-size-adjust: auto; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit;">&nbsp;to provide objective, independent coverage of new aviation technology, including electric aircraft developments. For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://connect.ainonline.com/future-flight-2019" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153); box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">FutureFlight.aero</a>

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Wisk's Cora eVTOL will carry passengers on flight trials in New Zealand

The New Zealand government has given its support to passenger-carrying flight trials with Wisk's Cora eVTOL aircraft. 

New Zealand Ok's Cora eVTOL Passenger Flight Trials 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company president Jason Huang resigns and Lily Hu takes over

Icon Aircraft Moving Some Manufacturing to China

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 Market Entry

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors 

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Aircraft