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

Aura Aero has confirmed the selection of a site at Daytona Beach International Airport in Florida as the location for a new factory to build its planned ERA hybrid-electric regional airliner. The French company, which is also developing an electric version of its Integral two-seat training aircraft, announced the move on October 17 with Volusia County officials.
According to Aura Aero, the 500,000-sq-ft manufacturing and assembly plant will be designed to produce around 100 of the 19-passenger ERA aircraft each year. The new facility is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs in central Florida, which won out over locations in Texas in the company’s selection process.
In July, Toulouse-based Aura Aero announced a partnership with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2024-07-30/electric-aircraft-developer-aura-aero-opens-florida-base">Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University</a> to jointly work on the Integral E trainer. This agreement gave it immediate access to a 10,000-sq-ft hangar in Daytona Beach, where the school is headquartered.
Flight testing of a prototype for the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-05-15/aura-aero-unveils-redesigned-hybrid-electric-regional-airliner-building">ERA fixed-wing aircraft</a> is expected to start in 2026, with type certification targeted for 2028. Initially, its all-electric range would be just 90 nm, but this could increase tenfold with the deployment of an as-yet-unspecified hybrid-electric powertrain.
This week, the Integral E aircraft was displayed at the Paris Motor Show as part of a joint exhibit with Renault. The French automotive group was launching its new R4 electric car.
Earlier this month, energy group Électricité de France announced that it has made an undisclosed investment in Aura Aero through its SAFIDI program to fund decarbonization projects. To date, Aura Aero has raised around €100 million ($108 million) in capital and is planning to finalize a Series B funding round by the end of 2024.

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Aura Aero Will Build ERA Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner in Florida

Daytona Beach International Airport has been confirmed as the site for a new manufacturing facility

France-based start-up Aura Aero will build its ERA 19-passenger hybrid-electric regional airliner in a Florida factory with capacity for 100 units per year.

Aura Aero Will Build Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner in Florida

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