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

Inflight connectivity group SmartSky Networks is joining forces with GE Aviation and Mosaic ATM to develop flight management systems (FMS) and air traffic management (ATM) capability for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. With backing from a NASA innovation award, the partners are looking at how they could more effectively connect airborne and cloud-based FMS to ensure that large numbers of eVTOL aircraft can be safely accommodated in public airspace.
The three companies say that what they call conceptualized cloud-based FMS would give air traffic controllers a better real-time trajectory of operations, supporting improved airspace management through expanded data inputs and processing capability. Their January 11 announcement did not say exactly what &nbsp;new product might result from their work&nbsp;or when it might be available. However, primary objectives appear to be to minimize delays in high-volume eVTOL air taxi services and reduce their environmental impact.
Speeding up access to data for controllers will be critical to safely expanding AAM operations, according to SmartSky Networks chief technology officer David Claessen. He predicted that the work with GE Aviation and Mosaic ATM would help overcome anticipated regulatory hurdles while maintaining a sharp focus on safety and expanding airspace management capacity. 
GE Aviation navigation systems product director Gary Goz said that the FMS requirements of AAM companies present challenges related to the space, power, and processing requirements of the supporting equipment and systems. “By combining airborne and cloud-based FMS systems, coupled with a reliable, low-latency network, we can address processing needs and still meet critical safety standards for flight control,” he explained.
Meanwhile, GE Digital’s aviation software business is also seeking to contribute to the development of AAM by working with eVTOL aircraft developers, operators, and infrastructure providers to improve efficiency through processing large quantities of data. Joel Klooster, vice president for aviation software product management, told FutureFlight that the company is looking to apply products such as its network disruption tool for eVTOL air taxi operators, which like the airlines it already serves, need to be able to deal with hard-to-predict factors such as staff shortages and infrastructure problems.
GE Digital helped Uber with some aspects of its planned, but now abandoned, Elevate urban air mobility platform&nbsp;by looking at how flight safety might be monitored. Last year, the company signed a partnership agreement with Varon Vehicles, which aims to support eVTOL commercial services in Latin America. Its data services also include activities such as predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and fuel efficiency.

Charles Alcock

Advanced air mobility companies like China's EHang envisage large numbers of different eVTOL aircraft sharing the same public airspace in urban areas, which will require high-performance air traffic management to achieve safely. (Image: EHang)

New Alliance Works To Boost Flight Management System Capability for Advanced Air Mobility

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