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
FutureFlight On The Radar
Eve and Zanite Make the Case For Yet Another SPAC-backed eVTOL Landing on Wall Street
The Embraer subsidiary aims to fund its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft with a New York Stock Exchange listing in the second quarter of 2022, but will the bubble have burst by then?
Aircraft
Airlines Back Embraer eVTOL Subsidiary's Plans to Go Public
With new airline orders in hand, Eve is merging with Zanite and intends to float share on the New York Stock Exchange in the second quarter of 2022.
FutureFlight
Archer Achieves First Flight with Maker eVTOL Technology Demonstrator
The company confirmed that the Maker's first hover flight was made at an undisclosed test site location on December 16, marking the start of a flight-test program that is due to culminate in type certification in 2024.
FutureFlight
Ground Infrastructure Experts Wrestle With Vertiport Challenges
Commercial eVTOL aircraft services could require many thousands of vertiports in cities and communities around the world, and that will require a huge planning task, according to companies preparing the way.
FutureFlight
U.S. Lawmakers Back Government Support for Advanced Air Mobility
A proposed bill in the House of Representatives has won support from industry groups including the National Business Aviation Association and the Helicopter Association International.
FutureFlight
Bristow Evaluates Overair's Butterfly eVTOL for Advanced Air Mobility Plans
The helicopter operations group has made provisional commitments to add up to 250 eVTOL and eSTOL aircraft to its fleet through agreements with Overair, Eve Urban Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace, and Electra Aero.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Teams With Overair on Butterfly eVTOL
Helo operator Bristow has launched a collaboration with Overair, marking its fourth such deal with an aircraft OEM in the advanced air mobility sector.
FutureFlight
Vertical Makes Wall Street eVTOL Takeoff with $300 Million Flotation
The UK-based company's four-passenger VX4 eVTOL will have range of over 100 miles, and prospective launch customers have committed to buy up to 1,350 of the aircraft.
FutureFlight
Vermont Stakes Its Claim as a Launch Pad for Aerospace Innovation
The Hula technology campus and business accelerator vertical capital fund is looking to attract start-ups in the advanced air mobility sector to Burlington, where Beta Technologies' Alia 250 eVTOL is taking shape.
Rotorcraft
Vertical Aerospace Makes $300M Wall Street Takeoff
Shares in eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace began trading on the New York Stock Exchange and are expected to raise $300 million.
Aircraft
Qantas Chooses to Rebuild Narrowbody Fleet With Airbus
The Australian carrier announced potential orders for up to 134 A321XLR and A220 airliners after a competition between Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer.
FutureFlight
DeHavilland to Power New-Build Dash 8 Regional Airliners With Hydrogen
Under a provisional agreement with ZeroAvia, the Canadian airframer intends to deliver hydrogen-powered versions of its twin turboprop airliner, as well as being able to retrofit existing in-service aircraft with the next five years.
FutureFlight
H2 Clipper Hydrogen Airship Boosted by Dassault's Support
The California-based start-up is joining Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience Lab business accelerator as it steps up plans to bring a hydrogen-powered airship to market.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Element 1 and Nexa Make the Case For Methanol-to-Hydrogen Propulsion
The partners say that methanol-to-hydrogen generators can provide a cost-effective and sustainable basis for fuel cell-based powerplant for electric aircraft.
Safety
European Bizav Community Responds To Safety Challenges
This week's EBAA Safety Summit is addressing how operators and other member companies are dealing with pressures brought about by the Covid pandemic.
FutureFlight
Drone Maintenance Group Targets eVTOL Aircraft Support Requirements
Robotic Skies runs a global network of independent service centers for uncrewed aircraft systems that it says could soon be providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul support for eVTOL air taxi operations.
FutureFlight
New U.S. Scheduled Carrier Commits to Using Universal's Hydrogen Conversion
Connect Airlines has committed to converting up to 24 Dash 8-300 regional aircraft to hydrogen propulsion by installing Universal Hydrogen's technology.
FutureFlight
Australian Government Launches Advanced Air Mobility Initiative
The country's federal government is to work more closely with state authorities in Victoria to accelerate the development of eVTOL aircraft and cargo drone services, as well as the wider AAM industry.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Presents Blueprint for Urban Air Mobility Ground Infrastructure
The eVTOL aircraft developer says partners can use a handbook based on its VoloPort concept to develop landing sites for air taxi operations in cities.
FutureFlight
Heart's Electric Regional Airliner Will Use Garmin Flight Deck
The U.S. avionics manufacturer's G3000 integrated flight deck is gaining traction in the advanced air mobility sector, having now been selected by electric aircraft manufacturers Heart Aerospace and Joby Aviation.
FutureFlight
Ameriflight Will Convert Freighter Fleet for Autonomous Flight
The U.S. cargo carrier has become the second prospective operator for the autonomous flight system being developed by Merlin Labs for service entry in 2023.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Seeks Input on Flight Crew Licensing and Training
The European agency's notice of proposed amendment covers changes to pilot licensing requirements for aircraft it classes as gyroplanes and is open for industry comment through mid-January.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Achieves 1MW Mark in Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Testing
The aircraft engines manufacturer is aiming to generate 2.5 MW of power from its beer-keg-sized Power Generation System being developed to power new regional airliners.
FutureFlight
Amprius Claims Game-changing Battery Recharge Rate
The lithium-ion battery cell producer says its Si-Nanowire anode platform has recharged a cell from 0 to 80 percent in just six minutes.
FutureFlight
Tier1 Chooses MagniX Propulsion System for Electric R44 Helicopter
The start-up has taken delivery of the first of the MagniX Magni350 electric propulsion units that it will use to convert piston-powered Robinson R44 helicopters.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Hits Hybrid-Electric Power Goal For Airliners
The aircraft engine maker has generated more than 1MW of power with its hybrid-electric Power Generation System as it aims to achieve an output of 2.5 MW.
FutureFlight
UK Unveils FlyZero Concept for Long-haul Hydrogen Airliner
Powered by liquid hydrogen, the anticipated "midsize" airliner would be able to carry up to 279 passengers on intercontinental flights of up to 5,250 nm
FutureFlight
Sydney Seaplanes Plans eVTOL Tourist Flights with Eve Urban Air Mobility Deal
The company, which is the second Australian operator to sign up for Eve's four-passenger eVTOL in recent days, also plans to start a regional airline with electric fixed-wing aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
Sydney Seaplanes Opts for 50 Embraer Eve eVTOLs
Sydney Seaplanes has agreed to add 50 of Eve Urban Air Mobility’s four-passenger eVTOLs to its fleet from 2026.
Aircraft
UK Reveals Plans For Hydrogen-powered, Long-haul Airliner
The Aerospace Technology Institute says the 279-passenger, intercontinental design is the first of three liquid hydrogen-powered airliner concepts.
