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.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Robinson Helicopter and propulsion system innovator MagniX have agreed to jointly develop a battery-electric powertrain for the R66 rotorcraft. The companies announced their plans today at EAA AirVenture, saying they aim to conduct a first flight with the demonstrator system in late 2026.
Washington-based MagniX will provide a fully integrated electric powertrain developed for helicopters. This will use the lightweight, high-speed <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-07/magnix-confirms-plans-helicopter-electric-motors">HeliStorm engines</a> that it unveiled earlier this year.&nbsp;“We have demonstrated the clear cost, noise, and safety benefits of MagniX’s fully-integrated electric powertrains,” said MagniX chief technology officer Riona Armesmith.
In 2022, MagniX provided a propulsion system for the first flight of a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-06-23/tier-1-achieves-first-flight-electrified-robinson-r44-helicopter">retrofitted Robinson R44</a> helicopter. In March 2025, the company was involved in what it said was the world’s first piloted flight of a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-04-07/unither-achieves-1st-hydrogen-powered-helicopter-flight">hydrogen-electric helicopter</a>.
“MagniX’s proven experience in electric propulsion and previous experience with the R44 makes them the right partner to collaborate on alternative powerplant solutions,” said Robinson president and CEO David Smith. “This agreement allows us to develop market-leading, zero-emission solutions that meet the needs of many critical mission types.”
According to Robinson, there are more than 1,500 R66s in service worldwide. The California-based manufacturer is now eager to offer customers an alternative to the R66’s standard Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Robinson Teams with MagniX To Develop Electric R66 Helicopter

Partnership was announced during EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh

MagniX will provide its HeliStorm engines as part of a joint program with Robinson to develop a battery-electric-powered version of the R66 helicopter.

Robinson Teams with MagniX To Develop Electric R66

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

Jessica Reed

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3 

Neelam Mathews

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

LifeFlight Australia and Linfox joint venture expects to fly the new fleet 1,500 hours a year

StarFlight To Add Three Airbus H145s to Medevac Fleet

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

EAA AirVenture 2025

In this article

Robinson R66

MagniX

More In Rotorcraft

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

StarFlight To Add Three Airbus H145s to Medevac Fleet

LifeFlight Australia and Linfox joint venture expects to fly the new fleet 1,500 hours a year

UK Air Ambulance Services Demand Operational Reforms

Emergency air services group joins calls for the UK to readopt EGNOS navigation

FAA Policy Allows for OSHA-approved HEC Harnesses

Allows use of restraints as an alternative to TSO-C167–approved harnesses

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN