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

Airbus this week began remotely piloted flight testing a full-scale prototype of its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft. The initial takeoff at the European aerospace group’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-03-07/cityairbus-nextgen-evtol-prototype-unveiled-german-development-base">Donauwörth facility</a> was reported on November 6 via social media by Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even.
The four-seat&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2024-02-15/first-cityairbus-nextgen-evtol-prototype-approaches-roll-out-ahead-flight">CityAirbus aircraft&nbsp;</a>is being developed to operate mainly on flights of up to around 80 kilometers (50 miles) at speeds of 120 km/h. With a 12-meter (40-foot) wingspan, the design features right rotors, including four mounted on the rear side of the wing for vertical lift, plus a pair of forward-facing propellers and two pusher props installed on the tail.
In December 2023, the CityAirbus powered up the aircraft for the first time as it started a series of ground tests on the electric motors and rotors. The engineering team is also testing flight controls and avionics as it prepares for its first flight.
Airbus's urban air mobility business unit is tapping expertise from right across the group to source systems such as battery packs and flight control systems.
The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-02-29/airbus-sees-evtol-race-market-marathon">UAM business unit</a> is tapping the expertise of Airbus colleagues in Toulouse to develop battery packs, based in part on their experience with satellites. The company is investigating multiple applications for the CityAirbus vehicle, including public transportation and emergency medical support.
Working with 30 partners through the Bavarian Air Mobility Initiative, Airbus is devising an ecosystem to support early operations in southern Germany. Partners include railway operator Deutsche Bahn, Munich Airport, and vertiport developer Skyports. Part of the project involves using an artificial intelligence algorithm to manage tasks such as predicting slot allocation needs.
In Italy, Airbus—which has a group-wide customer base of some 3,000 aircraft operators—has its first eVTOL airline partner in ITA Airways. In January, it widened its ecosystem development network in the country to include energy provider Enel, as well as Urban V, which is the vertiport division of Aeroporti di Roma.
Other projects include efforts to define eVTOL EMS missions with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-03-09/norwegian-air-ambulance-foundation-backs-airbus-study-emergency-medical">Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation</a>. Similar work is being conducted with partners in <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-03-05/airbus-and-international-sos-seek-emergency-medical-progress">Estonia</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-08/airbus-partners-japanese-helicopter-operator-evtol-flight-tests">Japan</a>.
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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.

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Aircraft Prototype Starts Flight Tests in Germany

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

Airbus's urban air mobility business unit this week started flight testing with its first full-scale prototype for the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft.

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

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