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

Joby Aviation is hosting aviation regulators from three major countries as part of its efforts to secure international type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. At its California headquarters the company welcomed officials this week from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, and Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
All three of these agencies have bilateral aviation safety agreements with the FAA and during the event U.S. officials have engaged with their international counterparts. Joby described the meetings as “technology familiarization” and said that discussions between its team members and the overseas regulators would contribute to harmonization of certification and regulation of new electric air taxis that are expected to operate worldwide.
Joby has applied to have its pending FAA type certificate validated in the UK, Japan, and Australia. The meetings were held as the FAA issued its long-<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-10-22/faa-greenlights-evtol-regs-nbaa-bace-opens">awaited special federal aviation regulation</a> for “Integration of Powered Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations.” This document established key aspects of how eVTOL aircraft will be permitted to operate, including factors such as pilot training and energy reserve requirements governing range.
As of August 2024, Joby said it had completed more than one-third of the fourth of five stages in the FAA type certification process. The company has been aiming to complete type certification in time to start series production, deliveries, and early commercial operations in 2025.
Joby is also engaging with EASA in Europe, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority. In a <a href="https://live.ainonline.com/aviation-news/video/jobys-evtol-aircraft-new-york-city-previews-future-commuting">recent interview with AIN</a>, the company said that Dubai is likely to be the location for its first air taxi service in late 2025, with markets including New York and Los Angeles also identified as like early adopters of advanced air mobility.
“By hosting regulators from key markets around the world, we have the opportunity to share the industry-leading work we continue to do with the FAA,” said Didier Papadopoulos, Joby’s president of aircraft OEM. “From the UK to Japan and Australia, Joby is working with forward-leaning nations to ensure alignment on safety and certification efforts that will enable the deployment of quiet, emissions-free aircraft in cities and communities around the world soon after we complete certification here in the U.S.”
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