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

Odys Aviation plans to conduct trial operations with its Laila uncrewed hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in Oman next year. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on September 14 with the Gulf state’s Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Californian company will work with local partners on what it calls a proof of concept (POC) program for advanced air mobility (AAM) services.
According to Odys, it will soon start flying the first full-scale pre-production example of the Laila aircraft in the U.S. This model will then be taken to Oman where POC operations are due to start in the first quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to define regulatory requirements with aviation regulators.
In addition to Oman’s regulators, Odys said it will also work with an undisclosed group of “globally recognized tier-one AAM companies and a select group of strategic partners” to establish use cases for the aircraft, with work including infrastructure development. Odys expects the Laila to offer a payload of 125 pounds with range of around 391 nm, operating at cruise speeds of 109 knots and a service ceiling of 18,000 feet.
<h2>AAM Launch Pads in the Gulf</h2>
In January 2024, Oman-based logistics group <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-01-15/aramex-considers-odys-hybrid-electric-aircraft-gulf-cargo-services">Aramex Emirates</a> said it was evaluating options to use the Laila for cargo flights in both Oman and the neighboring UAE. Odys is one of several U.S. VTOL aircraft developers seeking to fast-track early use cases, with eVTOL manufacturers <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-02/archer-flies-midnight-evtol-prototype-abu-dhabi">Archer</a> and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-14/joby-and-skyports-start-building-first-dubai-vertiport-evtol">Joby</a> having begun partnerships in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this year.
Odys said that for the past two years its commercial team has been gathering operational requirements from prospective Laila customers. It has reported firm orders for the aircraft valued at $321 million and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-20/fiji-airways-plans-connect-pacific-islands-laila-vtol">letters of intent </a>amounting to over $11 billion.
The test flights in Oman are intended to trail operating regulations for an uncrewed vehicle in this payload class. Odys said this process will be based on ICAO’s Specific Operational Risk Assessment program and the JARUS/SORA framework for developing new aircraft types.
“This partnership represents a pivotal strategic step in the trajectory of Oman’s civil aviation sector,” said Naif bin Ali Al-Abri, president of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority. “It comes within the framework of the national agenda to promote innovation and embrace the latest advanced aviation technologies in alignment with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.”
According to Odys, its program in Oman will go further than other past and planned AAM projects in the Gulf region by validating “end-to-end” operations with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-18/omani-transport-group-prepares-operate-laila-uncrewed-vtol">multiple prospective use cases</a>. The company said these could include oil and gas pipeline inspections, civil defense missions such as emergency respond and search and rescue, medical logistics and cargo deliveries.
In the longer term, Odys also has ambitions to develop a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-11-29/odys-unveils-laila-uav-prelude-hybrid-electric-vtol-regional-airliner">nine-passenger regional airliner</a>&nbsp;called Alta that would have a range of between 174 nm and 652 nm depending on whether it is flown with all-electric propulsion or in hybrid-mode. The design features a blown wing and thrust-vector-generating flaps.
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