Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
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.
Latest from Charles Alcock
Automation at center of GKN composites studies
Increased automation of the production process is the key to boosting the scope for using composite materials in new airframes.
Revived Doncasters trolls for acquisitions
The completion two months ago of Dubai International Capital’s £700 million ($1.3 billion) takeover of Doncasters has brought stability and fresh opportuni
Aircraft
New owners take the reins at Grob
Executive Jet Investments (EJI)–a small group of largely anonymous Swiss private investors–has completed an acquisition of a majority stake in German airfr
Charter & Fractional
UK fractional to expand fleet through aircraft management
UK-based fractional ownership program European Business Jets (EBJ) is looking to move into aircraft management to boost its available fleet.
Maintenance and Modifications
Firm’s goal to ease challenges for N. A. OEMs
Small and medium-size North American OEMs can find the European market challenging in terms of providing engineering and customer support for their product
Regulations and Government
UK likely to issue new rules for offshore registrations
British authorities are expected to decide by mid-February how and when to apply new operating rules to business aircraft registered in the UK’s overseas t
American OEMs get UK assistance to navigate EASA
Small- and medium-sized North American OEMs can find the European market challenging in terms of the need to provide engineering and customer support for p
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner strikes gold with Gold Air
Global charter broker Air Partner International has acquired UK executive charter operator Gold Air for around $8.1 million.
Aircraft
Grob readies network as SPn program picks up the pace
Grob, the German company that is developing the versatile, all-composite SPn light jet, has created a U.S.
Safety
With RDT’s Tempus, there’s always a doctor on board
Virgin Atlantic Airways is the latest major carrier to improve its passengers’ chances of surviving a major health problem in flight by investing in the Te
Security
Drug bust incites demand for more security at Irish airports
A Cessna Citation VI owned by a prominent Irish businessman was caught up in a major drug bust on September 26, when Belgian police impounded the aircraft
Charter & Fractional
The Charter Market
Demand for aircraft charter is rising worldwide, with more businesses and private individuals willing and able to start taking this increasingly attractive
Charter & Fractional
Europeans frustrated by DOT access restrictions
European charter operators are expressing increasing frustration about what they have come to regard as anti-competitive restrictions on their ability to f
Maintenance and Modifications
Harrods supersizes at London Luton
Harrods Aviation at London Luton Airport is preparing to relocate to much larger premises by next summer.
Security
Irish business jet seized in drug bust
A Cessna Citation VI owned by a prominent Irish businessman was caught up in a major drug bust on September 26, when Belgian police impounded the aircraft
Airports
London City reports increased bizav traffic
At press time, London City Airport was expecting to have received a total of 7,000 business aviation movements last year–a level of traffic it had not been
Aircraft
Ibis discloses certification delay for Ae270 Spiritturboprop
Ibis Aerospace has quashed speculation that Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.
ATC
Eurocontrol reduces its ATC charges
Operators will see en route ATC charges for most of Europe reduced by an average of 7 percent starting this month.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Europe expects 2005 profit
Assuming the next six months or so do not see a deterioration in trading conditions, the NetJets Europe fractional-ownership program should finally achieve
Charter & Fractional
European agency studies changes to frax regulation
On behalf of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), two separate task forces are tackling the vexed issue of regulating fractional ownership operat
FBOs
Biggin Hill Plans to Offer New Services
London Biggin Hill Airport is seeking local government approval for a revised draft master plan that would allow for both business aviation growth and the
Paris Air Show Preview: A More uer-Friendly Show
Paris show organizer SIAE has responded to industry calls to downsize the event to make it more cost-effective for exhibitors, who have long struggled to j
Paris Air Show Preview: Manufacturers gear up for international debuts
Back in 2003, when then U.S.
Charter & Fractional
Euro charter firms offer ‘light’ options
Increasing demand from wealthy individuals for the Bombardier Skyjet International fixed-rate block charter program has prompted the company to experiment
Regulations and Government
Europe ready to expand EASA’s regulatory role
The European Commission (EC) is moving quickly to extend the responsibilities of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to cover pilot licensing, aircr
Shuttle flights available from Danish carrier
Danish regional airline Cimber Air is preparing to establish corporate shuttle services to connect companies on the Danish mainland with their satellite pr
Regulations and Government
UK to decide soon on foreign aircraft limits
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is expected to decide early next year whether it will forge ahead with plans to restrict the amount of time foreign-r
Aircraft
Business Jets Measure Ozone Depletion For German Researchers
German aerospace research agency DLR has enlisted the services of two business jets for some extensive environmental research intended to measure ozone dep
