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

A flight demonstration of the EHang 216 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle planned for November 21 in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur had to be canceled after the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) declined to grant approval. The Chinese company had intended to take Malaysia’s entrepreneur development minister Redzuan Mohd Yusof on the flight at the University Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology.
CAAM officials said they could not approve the flight because it was due to take off and land at a site less than 200 meters (656 feet) from commercial airline and helicopter traffic and within the Subang Airport Terminal Control Zone. The demonstration was part of efforts to secure Malaysian government support for urban air mobility (UAM) initiatives.
Instead of conducting the demonstration flight, EHang&nbsp;and its local partner, Eastcap Berhad, showed the aircraft on the ground to Redzuan and a group of VIP guests. The event happened a month after Volocopter demonstrated the 2X prototype for its planned VoloCity eVTOL aircraft in Singapore.
According to Redzuan, EHang is one of four companies seeking Malaysian support for their plans to develop and introduce UAM service with eVTOL aircraft. The others are local company Aerodyne Geospatial, an undisclosed UK company, and a&nbsp;Malaysian company with a manufacturing partner in Japan.
At Malaysia’s Langkawi Airshow in March 2019, Aerodyne Geospatial said that it intends to achieve a first flight with its Vector “flying car” by the end of December. The Vector has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds (600kg), payload of 440 pounds (200 kg), and speed of around 38 mph (60 km/h).

Charles Alcock

A rendering of the EHang 216 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia would not let EHang and its local partner Eastcap Berhad conduct a demonstration flight.

Malaysian Authorities Block EHang Demonstration Flight

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