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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Electric Power May Transform Regional Airline Business Models
Airline fleets could transition from a dependence on fossil fuels to meet climate change goals, but the move to electric aircraft could cut costs as well.
FutureFlight
Skyportz Teams with Microflite To Build Australian Advanced Air Mobility Sector
Australian helicopter operator Microflite intends to start operating new electric aircraft and also to back ground infrastructure specialist Skyportz in providing support for other air taxi and freight operators.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Skyportz Opens Crowdfunding Investment Offer to Build Ground Infrastructure Network
The company is backed by partners including Nexa Capital and Arup in its plans to develop vertiports for air taxi and drone delivery operations.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Electric Aviation Pioneers' Fortunes Rise and Fall on Updated SMG Reality Index
Joby now tops SMG Consulting's Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index, which the firm updates monthly based on its analysts' assessments of 20 companies' prospects for bringing new aircraft to market.
Aircraft
Bristow Orders 50 eSTOLs To Launch Air Services in 2026
Helicopter operator Bristow intends to buy up to 50 hybrid-electric STOL airplanes being developed by Electra Aero for air services starting in 2026.
FutureFlight
Hydrogen Advocates Say Theirs Is the Ultimate Path to Aviation's Zero-Carbon Future
Start-ups like Universal Hydrogen, HyPoint, and ZeroAvia are taking different approaches to converting aircraft to hydrogen propulsion, arguing they can get this solution to market quicker than new-build aircraft programs.
FutureFlight
Helicopter Group Bristow Shifts Business Model with Commitment for 50 eSTOL Aircraft
Declining revenues and margin from its core oil and gas sector have prompted the rotorcraft operator to shift into logistics operations using Electra's new eSTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
EHang 2Q Results Dip as It Adjusts to eVTOL Aircraft Operations Business Model
The Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer says it is making progress in bringing its EH216 into commercial service, but costs continued to outstrip income during the second quarter of 2021.
FutureFlight
Honeywell and InfiniDome to Offer GPS Signal Protection For Urban Air Mobility Use
The companies are looking to help eVTOL aircraft and drone operators overcome the problem of GPS signals getting jammed by features such as tall buildings.
FutureFlight
Archer Teams with Reef To Repurpose Parking Garage Rooftops as eVTOL Landing Sites
The partners say that thousands of inner-city parking garages are underutilized and can be readily converted into vertiports for eVTOL aircraft.
