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
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Voting Now Open in Private Aviation Design Competition
A mix of leading business aircraft manufacturer design and completions specialists are competing in the 2020 International Yacht & Aviation Awards.
Aircraft
Summer Demand Drives Bizav Recovery, but Not Everywhere
European business aviation activity has heated up since the start of summer, but worldwide flight hours have fluctuated as Covid continues to drag demand.
FutureFlight
First Response eVTOL Services Could Support Early Adoption of Urban Air Mobility
Several eVTOL pioneers, including Jump Aero, Jaunt, and EHang, have plans for eVTOL emergency support aircraft.
FutureFlight
CityAirbus Makes Automatic Flight As eVTOL Developer Prepares For Forward Flight Trials
Airbus Helicopters is preparing to move the CityAirbus technology demonstrator to its Manching facility in southern Germany in late August.
FutureFlight
NASA Chief Says Autonomous Flight is Critical to Urban Air Mobility
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine pledged increased support to U.S. efforts to develop aircraft with more sustainable propulsion systems and autonomous flight capability.
Maintenance and Modifications
Latest IBA Data Sees Airline MRO Spend Cut in Half in 2020
With 800 airliners to be withdrawn from fleets worldwide, and with more than half of these permanently retired, MRO demand is down, according to IBA.
Environment
Dip in Flight Activity Cut CO2 Emissions By 70 Percent in Europe
Data gathered from Spire's satellites showed a 43 percent reduction in flights, resulting in a cut in carbon dioxide emissions of just over 70 percent.
Aircraft
Emergency First Response Could Boost Urban Air Mobility
Some eVTOL aircraft pioneers see first-response emergency services as a strong early use case for urban air mobility operations.
Accidents
EASA Review Notes Rise in Nonfatal Accidents and Incidents
There were no fatal accidents involving European aircraft operators in 2019, but higher than average nonfatal accidents and serious incidents.
FutureFlight
EASA Launches Research on Safe Use of Artificial Intelligence in Aviation
Further study will lead to new guidelines, to be published in early 2021, on how to certify AI-based technology.
FutureFlight On The Radar
U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Comments on Future Technology Proposals
Stakeholders have until September 28, 2020, to comment on proposals published in the U.S. DoT's Pathways to the Future of Transportation document.
Aircraft
EHang Selects Main eVTOL Factory Site
The city government of Yunfu in Guangdong province is investing $6 million in EHang's factory, which will open with annual capacity to build 600 aircraft.
Aircraft
Sabrewing Aims To Start Flight Tests for Rhaegal eVTOLs
Type certification plans for the first Rhaegal eVTOL aircraft have been pushed back into the first quarter of 2022.
FutureFlight
Dufour Aerospace Completes eVTOL Technology Demonstrator Flights
The company's main focus for now is on a hybrid-electric five- to seven-seat eVTOL aircraft called the aEro 3.
FutureFlight
UK Flight School Takes Order Book for Bye's eFlyer Family to 360 Units
Skyborne Airline Academy has placed deposits for six eFlyer 2s and four of the larger eFlyer 4 electric aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Roland Berger Issues Road Map to Get Aviation to Net Zero Sustainability by 2050
Replacing old aircraft, new propulsion technology, better air traffic management and sustainable fuels are all part of Roland Berger's mix of environmental improvements for the air transport sector.
FutureFlight
EmbraerX Starts Simulator Tests for New eVTOL Aircraft
EmbraerX remains secretive as to the timeline for service entry of its planned four-seat eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
New Study Projects UAM Market at $80 Billion by 2050
Roland Berger's research into the UAM sector suggests that airport shuttle and inter city services will generate more revenues than on-demand air taxi flights.
FutureFlight
UAM Panel Sees Strengths and Weaknesses in Both eVTOL Startups and Established Aerospace Players
A discussion at July's FIA Connect event considered which of the eVTOL pioneers is likely to make it to market first.
Aircraft
New Study Projects UAM Market at $80 Billion by 2050
A new report maps out the size and timeline for the urban air mobility market, with airport shuttles and intercity flights seen as big earners.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Industry Assembles Online To Recast Challenge as Opportunity
The online FIA Connect event brought the aviation industry together for a much-needed conversation about how it can get past the Covid crisis.
Aircraft
EmbraerX Starts Simulator Tests for New eVTOL Aircraft
EmbraerX is stepping up development of a four-seat, all-electric eVTOL, while also preparing a concept of operations for urban air traffic management.
Regulations and Government
FAA Leader Says Airline Passengers Must Wear Face Masks
FAA deputy administrator Daniel Elwell said a recovery in airline traffic depends heavily on passengers consistently following Covid-19 safety measures.
Aircraft
New Report Predicts Slow Recovery for Civil Aerospace
Roland Berger says the next few years will be more of a transition than a recovery for civil aviation, as air transport demand gradually returns.
Aircraft
Rethink of Aviation's Future Boosts the Case for Electric Aircraft
The race to bring new eVTOL aircraft to market for air taxi services is only part of a wider push to advance plans for hybrid and all-electric aircraft.
Aircraft
Roland Berger Calls for Incremental Green Steps to Net Zero
Roland Berger this week published a roadmap to get the aviation industry to achieve its net zero environmental goals by 2050.
Environment
UK Aims To Decarbonize Aviation as Part of Covid Recovery
UK government and industry leaders consider the steps they will need to take to generate rapid progress in achieving net-zero carbon objectives.
Regulations and Government
UK Aerospace Could be a 'Sitting Duck' For Better-funded Rivals
Former Airbus COO Tom Williams issued a blunt warning about the dangers facing the UK aerospace industry dealing with both Covid and Brexit.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
ADS Says UK Aerospace Needs Urgent, Long-term Support
UK industry group ADS says the government must match public spending by other countries' aerospace industries to deal with threats posed by Covid, Brexit.
Regulations and Government
Airbus and Leonardo Bosses Voice Brexit Concerns
The CEOs of Airbus and Leonardo worry of difficulties working with the UK aerospace sector if Britain doesn't reach a trade agreement with the EU.
