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
Australian Operator Plans eVTOL Aerial Tours of Great Barrier Reef
Helicopter operator Nautilus Aviation says it will add 10 of Eve Urban Air Mobility's four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to its sightseeing fleet in 2026.
FutureFlight
VertX Aero Prepares To Open Dedicated eVTOL Pilot Training Center
The facility in Ireland will include an eVTOL aircraft flight simulator using virtual and augmented reality technology. It's part of the new venture's plans to provide airline-grade training for eVTOL flight crew.
FutureFlight
U.S. Commuter Airline Orders 20 of Regent's All-Electric Seagliders
Southern Airways Express intends to operate the 12-passenger Viceroy model and the 100-seat Monarch on routes in the New York and New England region, and also in the southeastern U.S.
FutureFlight
Taking the Controls of Joby's eVTOL Aircraft Simulator
Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief of FutureFlight sister publication AIN, has flown multiple aircraft types over the years, and he jumped at the chance to check out Joby's eVTOL vehicle in the company's simulator.
FutureFlight
EHang Says EH216 eVTOL Certification Is Gaining Momentum with Increased Flight Trials
EHang reported that as of the end of November, it has conducted more than 20,000 test flights in its two-seat, autonomous eVTOL vehicle, including recent public demonstrations in locations such as Bali.
FutureFlight
Vertical Heading to Wall Street Soon, with Broadstone Shareholders Set To Vote on Merger
Broadstone Acquisition shareholders will meet on December 14 to vote on a proposed combination with eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace, leading to a New York Stock Exchange listing.
FutureFlight
FAA Issues Airworthiness Certificate, Clearing Archer's Maker eVTOL for Takeoff
Archer expects to conduct an initial hover flight with its two-seat Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator before the end of December as it aims to bring its larger four-passenger model to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Saudi Tech City Neom Set To Become Urban Air Mobility Incubator
Volocopter and government-backed Neom have launched joint venture to develop urban air mobility across a vast new residential and industrial zone in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
FutureFlight
Ascendance Reveals New Design for Atea Hybrid-Electric VTOL Aircraft
The revised version of the five-seater features additional in-wing ducted fans and an extra horizontal propeller, as well as improved access to the passenger cabin.
FutureFlight
Heart Appoints Aernnova as Design Partner for ES-19 Electric Airliner
The Spain-based aerostructures group will support Heart in its plans to bring a 19-seat all-electric regional airliner into commercial service in 2026.
FutureFlight
With Customer and Partners on Board, Project Fresson Steps Up Hydrogen Commuter Plans
For the UK consortium, converting the venerable Islander to hydrogen power is phase one of an ambitious zero-carbon plan for sub-regional air links to remote communities.
FutureFlight
Paris Vertiport Prepares To Open for eVTOL Flight Trials
A temporary vertiport at the Paris-area Cergy-Pontoise airport should be operational by the end of the second quarter of 2022, when it will serve as a testbed for the Re.Invent Air Mobility initiative.
FutureFlight
Aerosud Partners with Samad To Develop Starling Cargo eVTOL Vehicle
The South African aerostructures group will produce parts for the remotely piloted model, and may manufacture complete aircraft if there is sufficient demand in its region.
FutureFlight
Aura Aero Secures Part 21G Manufacturing Approval
The French start-up is close to beginning production of its Integral family of light aircraft, as it continues development of a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner.
Aircraft
Textron's eVTOL Aircraft Plans Are Still In the Balance
Textron confirmed that its Nexus eVTOL is a technology testbed, rather than an active program as it continues to assess its advanced air mobility options.
FutureFlight
Russia Sees Hybrid Propulsion Potential in Updated Rotary Piston Engines
A government-backed research institute is funding work to develop a hybrid-electric powertrain based on a new version of the Wankel piston engine that is now being used to power Mazda's new RX-8 car.
FutureFlight
JetBlue Buys into the Transformation of the Travel Industry
The airline venture capital arm has been a significant early-stage investor in start-ups such as eVOL aircraft developer Joby and propulsion system pioneer Universal Hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Textron Confirms Bell's Nexus eVTOL May Not Make It to Market
The U.S. aerospace group has used its Nexus eVTOL design as a technology testbed, but the head of its eAviation team says it has yet to prove the business case for launching the program.
Aircraft
JetBlue Ventures Buys Into Travel Industry Transformation
JetBlue has made significant early-stage investments in aviation technology start-ups like eVTOL aircraft developer Joby and Universal Hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Skyroads Joins Supernal's Efforts To Develop Advanced Air Mobility Airspace
The air traffic management specialist is participating with other stakeholders in the Airspace Management Consortium set up by Hyundai's eVTOL aircraft division, Supernal.
FutureFlight
Korean Mobility App Backs Urban Air Mobility Feasibility Study
Kakao Mobility and Volocopter are conducting a joint study into how urban air mobility services could be launched in South Korea in 2025.
FutureFlight On The Radar
How Planepooling Could Drive a Respooling of Regional Air Services
Research fellows from George Mason University's Mercatus Center have re-evaluated options for ensuring that what they see as a tipping point moment for regional aviation in America achieves its full potential.
FutureFlight
Joby Charts Its Timeline for eVTOL Type Certification and Service Launch
Type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL should begin in earnest in 2022 when the FAA confirms the means of compliance, allowing full testing of all systems and components and the complete prototype.
FBOs
Jetex, Eve Partnering on eVTOL Ecosystem
Business aviation support group Jetex is joining a list of prospective partners working with Embraer Eve to prepare the ecosystem to support eVTOL ops.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight Lands $100 Million Investment in V1500M Passenger eVTOL Vehicle
German technology investment group Team Global led a Series A funding round that will support the Chinese start-up's efforts to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Claims World Speed Record for Electric Spirit of Innovation Flight
Working with battery developer Electroflight and motor and controller maker Yasa, the aero engines group converted an NXT Next kitplane to achieve speeds matching the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft.
FutureFlight
Thales and Diehl Sign Up as CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Program Partners
The avionics groups will jointly provide flight control computers for the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft that Airbus aims to bring to market in 2025.
FutureFlight
Marry Tesla to Uber and You Get eVTOL Transportation as a Service, Say UAM Pioneers
Senior executives from eVTOL aircraft developers Joby and Archer, and also would-be early urban air mobility adopter United Airlines, shared their vision in a Northwestern University webinar.
FutureFlight
Former Bombardier President Fred Cromer Joins Flight Autonomy Pioneer
Cromer also ran airliner leasing group ILFC and served as CFO with regional airlines Continental Express and Express Jet.
FutureFlight
Eve Rebrands eVTOL Aircraft in the Image of Racing Legend Senna
The subsidiary of Brazilian aerospace group Embraer is partnering with the branding organization formed by the country's Formula One car racing legend Ayrton Senna.
