Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is a senior editor with AIN, 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 Manchester University in the northwest of England and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
FutureFlight
Spirit of Innovation Aircraft Makes First Flight as It Prepares for World Speed Record Attempt
The single-seat light aircraft is powered by a 400-kW electric powertrain and a high-power-density battery pack that is expected to support speeds in excess of 300 mph.
FutureFlight
Heli-Eastern Starts Trial Operations with EHang's EH216 eVTOL in China
The business aircraft operator will conduct extensive flight trials with EHang's EH216 autonomous eVTOL aircraft and its Bell 206 helicopters as part of a pilot program approved by Chinese authorities.
FutureFlight
Air New Zealand Steps Up As Possible Early Adopter of Airbus 'Hydrogen Airliners
The Asia-Pacific airline is working with Airbus on a study to define how hydrogen-powered airliners might be integrated into its domestic and regional flight network.
Aircraft
Aerospace Industry is Largely Positive About Future Prospects
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics surveyed 1,000 professionals from 38 countries about the current and future state of the industry.
FutureFlight
Clay Lacy Teams with Eviation To Provide Electric Aircraft Recharging Stations
The U.S. business aircraft operator and support company will install electric charging facilities at its chain of fixed-based operations.
FutureFlight
Lilium and Archer Head to Wall Street for Share Flotations
Having completed their mergers with special purpose acquisition companies, two more eVTOL start-ups are going public in New York but both are set to raise less capital than anticipated.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Consortium Seeks to Win British Public Support For Urban Air Mobility
The UK Urban Air Mobility Consortium has published largely jargon-free, plain English guidance to help the general public and other stakeholders better understand the case for supporting eVTOL aircraft operations in cities.
FutureFlight
CAE To Provide Pilot and Mechanic Training for Beta's Alia 250 eVTOL
The aviation training group is now partnering with three eVTOL aircraft developers, including Beta Technologies, Jaunt Air Mobility, and Volocopter.
Environment
Luxaviation and Shell Plan Joint Investment in New FBOs
Luxaviation and Shell Aviation announced a partnership that will expand their business aviation portfolio and reduce environmental impact.
FutureFlight
Investors Back Urban Aeronautics's Hydrogen eVTOL Plans with $10 Million Funding
The Israeli company has raised the first $10 million towards a Series A funding round goal of $100 million, with support from investors in Israel, the U.S., and Brazil.
Charter & Fractional
UK Charter Operators Lament Brexit Changes at ACE 2021
The UK charter industry regrets the country’s departure from the EU that ushered in the need to obtain country-specific permits for flights into the EU.
Aircraft
Breeze Boosts A220 Fleet With New Livery Unveiled
Breeze Airways will start taking delivery of an additional 20 of Airbus's A220 airliners by the end of 2021, adding to its current Embraer E190 fleet.
Accidents
India Runway Overrun Investigation Highlights Pilot Errors
A report on the fatal crash of an Air India Express aircraft said the pilots didn't follow operational procedures when attempting to land in monsoon rain.
FutureFlight
Lilium Set for Nasdaq Listing as Qell Shareholders Approve SPAC Merger
The German eVTOL aircraft developer's anticipated Nasdaq listing on September 15 is expected to yield around $584 million in funds for its efforts to bring the seven-seater Lilium Jet to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Vertical Aerospace Boosts Team with Infrastructure and Marketing Leaders
The UK eVTOL aircraft developer has recruited a former senior executive from London Heathrow Airport and a branding expert who previously worked with rival Lilium.
FutureFlight
Vertical Says Strategic Backing and a Robust Approach to Certification Give Its eVTOL a Clear Flight Path
As it heads for an initial public offering, the UK-based start-up says the caliber of its seasoned aviation strategic backers will put it among the few eVTOL contenders to make it to market.
FutureFlight
Paragon Aerospace Reboots Its Hydrogen VTOL Project in Texas
The start-up is working to develop a hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft called the Soar, having abandoned plans for a model called the T-21 Raptor.
Aircraft
Analysis: Ryanair Holds in Poker Game with Boeing
Ryanair's pricing demands for the 737 Max 10 proved too steep for Boeing.
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Expo To Consider State of the Industry
Air Charter Expo conferences at London Biggin Hill Airport will consider the impact of Covid and Brexit and how the industry can be more sustainable.
FutureFlight
FAA Approves G-1 Certification Basis for Archer's eVTOL Aircraft
Now Archer is working with the U.S. aviation safety regulator to agree on the means of compliance to meet the requirements contained in the G01 certification issue paper.
FutureFlight
Wright Advances Powertrain Tests For Planned All-Electric Narrowbody Airliner
Wright Electric aims to develop an all-electric airliner with capacity similar to that of 190-seat Airbus A320 twinjets and to have this ready to enter service by 2030.
FutureFlight
Samad Says Deliveries of eStarling Cargo Aircraft Will Start in Late 2022
The UK company has begun the certification process for its all-electric eStarling Cargo aircraft, which is a scaled-down version of its hybrid-electric five-passenger vehicle.
FutureFlight
UKRI Invites Entries For Phase 3 of Future Flight Challenge
With UK government funding, the competition is offering grants to support projects aimed at advancing, “integrated aviation systems and underpinning technologies that enable new classes of electric or autonomous air vehicles.”
FutureFlight
Helicopter Veteran Seeks Leading Role in Advanced Air Mobility Revolution
Having operated helicopters for more than 70 years, Bristow is planning to add eSTOL and eVTOL aircraft to its fleet and wants to partner with manufacturers to support the rollout of advanced air mobility.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Xwing Seeks FAA Clearance for Commercial Remotely Piloted Flights
The company is looking to certify its autonomous flight technology on commercial cargo operations flown by its subsidiary company, San Antonio Air Charter.
FutureFlight
Tetra Aviation's Mk 5 Personal eVTOL Starts Flight Testing
The Japanese start-up is conducted unmanned flight tests at Byron Airport in California as it prepares to begin delivering kit-built versions in late 2022.
FutureFlight
Electra Pursues Applications For Its eSTOL Aircraft in Australia
The U.S.-based manufacturer is partnering with advanced air mobility infrastructure developer Skyportz to explore the potential for urban and regional services carrying passengers and freight.
FutureFlight
NASA Flight Testing Starts with Noise Evaluation of Joby's eVTOL
Wisk Aero and Reliable Robotics are also providing aircraft for flight testing as part of a NASA project designed to inform the reguluatory environment for advanced air mobility, while also improving public awareness and confidence.
FutureFlight
VoltAero Boosts Advisory Board With a Trio of Airbus Veterans
The French company is working to certify three members of its hybrid-electric Cassio family of aircraft, with initial deliveries anticipated from late 2023.
FutureFlight
Lilium Nominates Airline Entrepreneur Neeleman For Post-Merger Board
David Neeleman is chairman of Brazilian airline group Azul, which intends to buy 220 Lilium Jets for its planned launch of eVTOL commercial services in 2025.
