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
Airbus Unveils Plans for Larger, Fixed-wing eVTOL Aircraft
The European aerospace group has finally showed its hand for the advanced air mobility market after several years of studies with the Vahana and CityAirbus technology demonstrators.
FutureFlight
Malloy's Large Electric UAV Could Find New Civil Applications
The UK company's T-650 Heavy-Lift Electric UAS has military uses, such as carrying torpedos, but could be employed for roles such as logistics and search and rescue.
Aircraft
Brazilian Airline Gol To Operate Commercial eVTOL Flights
Gol will bring a fleet of Vertical Aerospace's VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft into commercial service from 2024 through a deal with leasing group Avolon.
FutureFlight
Flight Booking Platform Helipass Commits to 50,000 eVTOL Charter Flight Hours
In an agreement with Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, Helipass will market at least 50,000 flight hours in its Electrical Vertical Aircraft through its network of helicopter operators.
Aircraft
Airlines Welcome Lifting of U.S. Ban on Foreign Travelers
From early November, fully vaccinated passengers from multiple countries will be permitted to fly to the U.S., ending 18 months of Covid restrictions.
FutureFlight
Ascendance Raises Capital For Atea Hybrid Electric Aircraft
The French start-up has raised €10 million towards the cost of certifying its four-passenger Atea fixed-wing design by 2025, with a first flight now projected for 2024.
FutureFlight
Urban-Air Port Wins Backing from Hyundai for Network of Ground Hubs
The UK start-up will build 65 of its compact "urban air ports" in partnership with eVTOL developer Hyundai, as part of wider plans to build 200 landing sites worldwide.
FutureFlight
Advanced Air Mobility to Have Higher Profile At NBAA's Business Aviation Trade Show
Several eVTOL aircraft developers will exhibit at the NBAA's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas from October 12-14.
FutureFlight
Helicopter Charter Booking Platform Seeks Place in eVTOL Air Taxi Market
The founders of the GetHeli flight booking platform want a piece of the eVTOL air taxi pie, but first they are trying to fix an antiquated helicopter charter market.
FutureFlight
GKN Will Make Wings and Wiring for Vertical's eVTOL Aircraft
GKN Aerospace has produced wings for leading commercial airliners such a the Airbus A350 and also has extensive experience with complex wiring systems.
Rotorcraft
GetHeli Expands To International Operators
UK-based helicopter charter booking platform GetHeli added international operators to its database and longer term is looking at eVTOLs.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MySky Promises Accurate Charter Quotes In Seconds
Spend management platform MySky has introduced a Quote feature that it says uses real operational data to quickly provide accurate pricing.
FutureFlight
Osaka Expands Advanced Air Mobility Work with SkyDrive Partnership
The large Japanese metropolitan area is eager to encourage the use of flying cars and other electric aircraft for applications including air taxi services and disaster relief efforts.
FutureFlight
Spirit of Innovation Aircraft Makes First Flight as It Prepares for World Speed Record Attempt
The single-seat light aircraft is powered by a 400-kW electric powertrain and a high-power-density battery pack that is expected to support speeds in excess of 300 mph.
FutureFlight
Heli-Eastern Starts Trial Operations with EHang's EH216 eVTOL in China
The business aircraft operator will conduct extensive flight trials with EHang's EH216 autonomous eVTOL aircraft and its Bell 206 helicopters as part of a pilot program approved by Chinese authorities.
FutureFlight
Air New Zealand Steps Up As Possible Early Adopter of Airbus 'Hydrogen Airliners
The Asia-Pacific airline is working with Airbus on a study to define how hydrogen-powered airliners might be integrated into its domestic and regional flight network.
Aircraft
Air New Zealand Joins Airbus's Hydrogen Airliner Project
The Asia-Pacific carrier will study how Airbus's planned Zero E hydrogen airliners could be integrated into its domestic and regional flight network.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Joins Effort To Bring Urban Air Mobility to Los Angeles
The German eVTOL aircraft developer is joining the public-private Urban Movements Labs partnership to support the city of Los Angeles in efforts to launch air taxi and other air mobility services.
FutureFlight
Clay Lacy Teams with Eviation To Provide Electric Aircraft Recharging Stations
The U.S. business aircraft operator and support company will install electric charging facilities at its chain of fixed-based operations.
FutureFlight
Lilium and Archer Head to Wall Street for Share Flotations
Having completed their mergers with special purpose acquisition companies, two more eVTOL start-ups are going public in New York but both are set to raise less capital than anticipated.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Consortium Seeks to Win British Public Support For Urban Air Mobility
The UK Urban Air Mobility Consortium has published largely jargon-free, plain English guidance to help the general public and other stakeholders better understand the case for supporting eVTOL aircraft operations in cities.
FutureFlight
CAE To Provide Pilot and Mechanic Training for Beta's Alia 250 eVTOL
The aviation training group is now partnering with three eVTOL aircraft developers, including Beta Technologies, Jaunt Air Mobility, and Volocopter.
Aircraft
Aerospace Industry is Largely Positive About Future Prospects
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics surveyed 1,000 professionals from 38 countries about the current and future state of the industry.
FutureFlight
Investors Back Urban Aeronautics's Hydrogen eVTOL Plans with $10 Million Funding
The Israeli company has raised the first $10 million towards a Series A funding round goal of $100 million, with support from investors in Israel, the U.S., and Brazil.
Charter & Fractional
UK Charter Operators Lament Brexit Changes at ACE 2021
The UK charter industry regrets the country’s departure from the EU that ushered in the need to obtain country-specific permits for flights into the EU.
Environment
Luxaviation and Shell Plan Joint Investment in New FBOs
Luxaviation and Shell Aviation announced a partnership that will expand their business aviation portfolio and reduce environmental impact.
FutureFlight
Lilium Set for Nasdaq Listing as Qell Shareholders Approve SPAC Merger
The German eVTOL aircraft developer's anticipated Nasdaq listing on September 15 is expected to yield around $584 million in funds for its efforts to bring the seven-seater Lilium Jet to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Vertical Aerospace Boosts Team with Infrastructure and Marketing Leaders
The UK eVTOL aircraft developer has recruited a former senior executive from London Heathrow Airport and a branding expert who previously worked with rival Lilium.
Aircraft
Breeze Boosts A220 Fleet With New Livery Unveiled
Breeze Airways will start taking delivery of an additional 20 of Airbus's A220 airliners by the end of 2021, adding to its current Embraer E190 fleet.
Accidents
India Runway Overrun Investigation Highlights Pilot Errors
A report on the fatal crash of an Air India Express aircraft said the pilots didn't follow operational procedures when attempting to land in monsoon rain.
