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
Aircraft
Jaunt Boosts eVTOL Plans by Merging with Airo Group
The eVTOL aircraft developer will merge with advanced air mobility group Airo and raise capital through an initial public offering in 2022.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Taps New Technology To Support High Engine Utilization
The latest Pearl turbofans are increasing Rolls-Royce's installed base as it introduces new monitoring systems and virtual reality training for mechanics.
FutureFlight
BASF's Membranes Set to Boost Performance of HyPoint's Hydrogen Fuel Cells
HyPoint claims the use of new membrane-electrode assemblies will deliver more power at reduced weights, making its propulsion systems viable for passenger airliners.
Aircraft
How the Advanced Air Mobility Revolution is Gaining Momentum
New eVTOL aircraft could enter commercial service in less than three years, offering new opportunities for business aviation service providers.
FutureFlight
Spanish Police Take a Look At EHang's eVTOLs For Emergency and Security Missions
The Spanish National Police announced a partnership with China-based eVTOL developer EHang during a trade show in Spain's capital Madrid.
FutureFlight
Inmarsat and Xwing Adapt Velaris Satcom for Remotely Piloted Operations
Xwing is seeking approval for remotely piloted commercial cargo flights as a way to resolve what it says is a looming pilot shortage.
FutureFlight
GKN Confirms Plans To Develop Ducted Electric Fan To Power Regional Airliner
GKN Aerospace's global technology center in Sweden is working with the country's Royal Institute for Technology to design a new type of ducted electric fan propulsion system.
FutureFlight
Brazilian Private Aviation Operator Plans Latin American Air Taxi Network With 100-eVTOL Order For Eve
Avantto already operates business jets made by Eve's parent company Embraer and is now working with the group to develop an urban air mobility ecosystem across Latin America.
FutureFlight
Vertical Recruits Chief Test Pilot To Start Flight Tests with VA-X4 Prototype in 2022
The UK-based start-up has previously said it expected to start flight testing before the end of 2021 as it aims to complete type certification in 2024.
Accidents
Eight Killed as PC-12 Crashes after Takeoff from Milan
The Pilatus PC-12, flying from Milan to Olbia with two pilots and six passengers on board, crashed into an office building a few minutes after takeoff.
FutureFlight
Honda Joins the eVTOL Aircraft Pack, Promising More Range
The Japanese automotive group is one of several carmakers, also including Hyundai, Toyota and Geely, making substantial investments in the advanced air mobility sector.
FutureFlight On The Radar
FAA Approves Special Conditions for Certifying Electric Propulsion Systems
The aviation safety agency consulted extensively with MagniX over special conditions for the certification of its Magni 350 and Magni 650 electric propulsion systems under Part 33 rules, and several other companies and regulators provided input.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce-led ACCEL Team Closes in on Electric Aircraft World Speed Record
The Spirit of Innovation aircraft is an NXT Next kitplane fitted with electric motors, inverters and 1,200 battery cells that Rolls-Royce says has the highest power density yet assembled for aviation at 72 kW/hr.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Wisk Makes the Case for Airports as a Bedrock for Advanced Air Mobility
Thousands of underutilized public airports could becomes key hubs for advanced air mobility services, in some cases with reinvented roles to make them more critical to community transportation needs.
FutureFlight
Surf Air Sees Hybrid Propulsion as Fast Track to Sustainable Air Travel
The on-demand and scheduled flight marketplace wants to be a key enabler for the electrification of air transportation, starting with conversions of existing aircraft.
FutureFlight
Alaka'i Seeks Partner as Skai Hydrogen eVTOL Prototype Prepares To Fly
The U.S. company says that it now holds FAA's G1 type certification issue paper and is agreeing to means of compliance for its four-passenger aircraft.
FutureFlight
Bell To Showcase Its Nexus eVTOL Aircraft in Smithsonian Museum
The helicopter manufacturer's eVTOL design will feature in the Smithsonian's Futures exhibition even though the program's future is unclear.
FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Gets Closer to Airbus with New Toulouse Engineering Center
The U.S. company's leadership team has strong ties to Airbus, which is priortizing efforts to develop hydrogen-powered airliners through its Zero E program.
FutureFlight
KLM Flight Academy Orders Bye eFlyers To Train Airline Pilots
The Dutch flight training school intends to take 14 of Bye Aerospace's eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
XTI Aircraft and Xeriant Seek Merger in Bid for $100 Million Equity Flotation
The partners are raising funds to step up development of XTI's TriFan family of hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, which will carry between six and 16 passengers.
FutureFlight
Bristow Doubles Down on Fleet Electrification with Another eVTOL Order
The helicopter operator is partnering with Eve Urban Air Mobility and has said it will buy up to 100 of the Embraer subsidiary's new four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Italian Air Taxi Start-up Walle Gets Air Traffic Management Support from D3
The two companies are collaborating to develop a concept of operations for Walle Mobility's planned air traffic service across multiple Italian cities, starting in 2026.
FutureFlight
North London Suburb Set to Get UK Capital's First Vertiport in 2024
Ground infrastructure specialist Skyports is to build a vertiport at the new Brent Cross Town development in partnership with the local borough government and real estate developer Argent Related.
Aircraft
Bristow Triples Down on Fleet Electrification
Helicopter operator Bristow will also parter with Embraer's Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions and has committed to purchasing up to 100 Eve EVTOLs.
FutureFlight
Beyond the Air Taxi: The Business Case for eVTOLs in Global Rescue and Disaster Relief
Experts are evaluating how eVTOL aircraft could make responses to natural disasters and other crises more effective.
FutureFlight
New Joint Venture Will Take 150 of Volocopter's eVTOL Aircraft for China Market
The German company and its strategic investor Geely are forming the Volocopter Chengdu joint venture to make and operate eVTOL aircraft in China within three to five years.
FutureFlight
Vertical's eVTOL Order Book Tops 1,350 Aircraft as Japan's Marubeni Signs Agreement
The Japanese group will work with the eVTOL developer to set the stage for eVTOL air taxi services in Japan, in a process that will likely include finding operating partners.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Airbus Takes the Mystery Out of Hydrogen Technology with New Educational Materials
As part of its Discovery Space series, the Airbus Foundation has published a new guide to hydrogen propulsion technology and what it promises for the future of aviation.
Aircraft
Northern Pacific Chooses 757s for New Transpacific Services
Alaska-based start-up Northern Pacific Airways is building its fleet around the Boeing 757-200 airliner as it prepares to launch services in 2022.
FutureFlight
Brazilian Airline Gol To Launch Commercial Services with Vertical Aerospace eVTOL Aircraft
Up to 250 of the four-passenger aircraft ordered by leasing group Avolon are to be operated in commercial services across Brazil starting in 2024.
