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

The aviation industry is showing a growing interest in the potential for hydrogen propulsion as an alternative to battery-based electrical systems. In recent months, for instance, Airbus has increasingly signaled its intention to prioritize this aspect of its development work after testing two all-electric eVTOL technology demonstrators (the Vahana and CityAirbus).
Happy Takeoff is a U.S.-based startup developing a hydrogen-powered fixed-wing aircraft that it says will meet Uber's requirements for its planned urban air mobility air taxi network. The company has&nbsp;outlined&nbsp;the case for hydrogen over electric batteries in&nbsp;a white paper&nbsp;titled "Captive-Use Hydrogen For Advanced Air Mobility." The paper, which Happy Takeoff published Aug. 7. 2020, argues that hydrogen fuel cells are on track to be a more cost-effective solution for aircraft than batteries or internal combustion engines by 2026. It also addresses the infrastructure issues that have been commonly presented as part of the case against hydrogen.

Charles Alcock

Happy Takeoff White Paper Makes the Case for Hydrogen to Power Advanced Air Mobility

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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