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
Private Flight Booker Flapz Pitches for Role in eVTOL Air Taxi Market
Online charter booking portal Flapz is partnering with urban air mobility infrastructure developer Varon Vehicles to promote the new mode of transportation across Latin America.
Aircraft
Embraer Plans Net Zero Carbon Path with New Energia Family
The Brazilian airframer is proposing four aircraft concepts, with hybrid, electric, and hydrogen propulsion systems, seating nine to 50 passengers.
Aircraft
Will Dubai Get Back On the Advanced Air Mobility Map?
New eVTOL aircraft could enter service from 2024, but cities like Los Angeles and Singapore appear to be ahead of Dubai in adopting electric aviation.
FutureFlight
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Advanced Air Mobility Act
The new legislation was welcomed as a boost for the new sector by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
FutureFlight
Veteran Airframer Seeks Leading Role Weaning Airliners Off Fossil Fuel
The team that built the CRJ regional jet family is now focused on how legacy aircraft can be converted to hydrogen propulsion through partnerships with innovators like ZeroAvia.
FutureFlight
Air Traffic Management Specialist D3 Rebrands as Skyroads
The German start-up has been demonstrating a prototype of the traffic management system it is developing to support various advanced air mobility applications, including eVTOL air taxi services.
FutureFlight
Overair Expands Headquarters for Next Stage of Butterfly eVTOL's Metamorphosis
The California company has doubled the size of its facilities near John Wayne/Orange County Airport to make space for construction of a full-scale prototype that will start flight testing in 2023.
FutureFlight
UK Consortium Proposes Ammonia-based Propulsion System for Aircraft
Reaction Engines and the Science and Technology Facilities Council have venture capital backing for the project announced during the United Nations COP26 climate change conference.
FutureFlight
Wright Goes Back to the Future with BAe 146 Airliner Electrification Plan
The start-up announced the electric propulsion conversion plan to coincide with the ongoing United Nations COP26 climate change conference, arguing that net-zero aviation initiatives are an insufficient response.
Aircraft
Wright Takes BAe 146 Fast-Track to Electric Airliner Market
The electric propulsion innovator intends to convert 100-seat BAe 146 regional airliners to serve busy scheduled routes of up to an hour's flight time.
FutureFlight
Dufour Will Bring Autonomous Aero2 eVTOL into Commercial Service
The Swiss eVTOL developer has been using the Aero2 for development work on its larger Aero3 hybrid-electric vehicle, In response to positive market reaction, the company now intends to start production in 2023.
FutureFlight
New Airbus Scale Innovation Unit Could Boost Technology Breakthroughs
The new innovation hub was announced this week by Airbus's newly appointed chief technical officer.
Charter & Fractional
Equinox Charter Launches Flight Brokering Service
The UK-based company says it gives clients neutral advice on when to use airlines instead of private jets and prioritizes sustainability.
Aircraft
Bahrain-based Operator Mena Switches from Bizav to Cargo
Mena Cargo is building a freighter fleet to serve what it sees as growing air cargo demand in the Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
FutureFlight
EASA Gets MTU's Help To Define Certification Path for Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The European aviation safety agency is partnering with German aircraft engine maker MTU to assess new standards, regulations, and verification procedures for what it calls flying fuel cells.
FutureFlight
Japanese Type Certification of SkyDrive Personal eVTOL Gets Underway
SkyDrive, which claims to be the first eVTOL developer in Japan to have its type certificate application accepted, has pushed back its projected timeline for service entry of its single-seat flying car from 2023 to 2025.
FutureFlight
As First Flight Approaches, Eviation Founder Explains How and Why Alice Got a New Look
With ground testing far advanced, Eviation expects the Alice to start its flight test campaign from its new headquarters in Washington state by the end of 2021.
Airlines
ZeroAvia Seeks Airline For First Commercial Hydrogen Flight
Hydrogen propulsion developer and its Dutch airport partners aim to support the first commercial scheduled airline service powered by hydrogen in 2024.
FutureFlight
Hydrogen Commercial Flights Could Start Between UK and Netherlands in 2024
ZeroAvia is working with Rotterdam The Hague Airport and the Royal Schiphol Group to prepare for hydrogen-powered flights to London in 19-seat aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Updated Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index Reflects New Funding for eVTOL Programs
Lilium, Archer, and Airbus all improved their standing in SMG Consulting's latest monthly rating of the viability of new aircraft developments.
FutureFlight
Ferrovial Launches Plan for UK Vertiport Network with Vertical Aerospace
The partnership with Ferrovial was announced after the eVTOL aircraft developer raised a further $205 million from new backers.
FutureFlight
NASA Invests in Further R&D For More Efficient Airliner Engines
GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney will both work on new engine cores for single-aisle airliners under NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core project.
Accidents
UK Court Convicts Organizer of Illegal Charter Flight
David Henderson was found guilty of endangering safety and illegally arranging a charter flight that resulted in the death of soccer star Emiliano Sala.
FutureFlight
Italian Officials Back Plan To Bring Urban Air Mobility to Rome
Volocopter is partnering with infrastructure group Atlantia and Aeroporti di Roma to prepare to launch an eVTOL air taxi network in the Italian capital by 2024.
FutureFlight
Skyryse Wins New Funding For FlightOS Automation Technology
Fresh backers have provided an additional $200 million to support work on technology that Skyryse says will improve general aviation safety by reducing pilot workload.
Airlines
Airlines Slam UK Government over Passenger Duty Changes
IATA director general Willie Walsh accused the UK government of hypocrisy, suggesting new passenger duties are a cash grab disguised as a green tax.
FutureFlight
Mitsubishi and Alaska Air Back ZeroAvia's Plans for Hydrogen Airliners
The Japanese group's maintenance, repair, and overhaul arm will install conversion kits based on ZeroAvia's hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, which will also be used for Alaska Air's Dash 8 fleet of twin-turboprops.
FutureFlight
Eve Starts eVTOL 'Simulation' with Helisul Helicopter Charter Flights
Trial flights in November will connect the wealthy Rio de Janeiro suburb of Barra da Tijuca with the Brazilian city's main international airport.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Toronto Stakes Its Claim to an Advanced Air Mobility Future
The Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium's white paper on the benefits of the new mode of transportation for the Greater Toronto area has been welcomed by regional investment agency Toronto Global.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi and Alaska Air Back Plans For Hydrogen Airliners
Mitsubishi's MHIRJ business unit could install ZeroAvia's hydrogen conversion kits on CRJs, while Alaska Air will re-engine its Dash 8 Q400 fleet.
