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

GE Aerospace has agreed to support Merlin’s efforts to certify its autonomous flight technology for use with existing civil and military aircraft. Under an agreement announced on September 23, the companies said their collaboration will focus on artificial intelligence and “autonomy-focused solutions that enable crew reduction efforts.”
The partnership presents the prospect of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2025-08-15/autonomous-flight-pioneer-merlin-seeks-capital-through-ipo">Merlin’s autopilot technology</a> eventually being integrated with GE’s flight management systems, which are installed on more than 14,000 legacy military aircraft worldwide. Boston-based Merlin has been working under <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-12/usaf-approves-merlins-airworthiness-plan-autonomous-kc-135">Pentagon contracts</a> to demonstrate the potential for the technology to be deployed on U.S. Air Force aircraft such as the KC-135 Stratotankers, through the Center Console Refresh program, and also the C-130J Super Hercules.
According to the companies, they will now pursue ways to combine Merlin’s autonomy software suite, avionics packages and datalink technology with GE’s flight management systems and open architecture integration expertise. They aim to support transition to single-pilot operations for multiple current two-crew aircraft.
“GE Aerospace’s legacy of providing systems of record to commercial and government customers enables us to rapidly bring complementary capabilities to market,” said Merlin’s CEO, Matt George. “By teaming with GE Aerospace, we are able to pair their open system architecture with Merlin’s autonomy capabilities to create and deliver the next generation of avionics systems, extending our work with existing customers, expanding the volume and types of platforms we support and accelerating our revenue growth.”
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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

GE Teams With Merlin to Combine Autonomous Autopilot with FMS

Partnership is focused on achieving single-pilot operations for legacy aircraft

GE Aerospace is joining forces with autonomous flight systems developer Merlin to integrate the technology with legacy aircraft flight management systems.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Terrain awareness and warning system is available for Europe- and U.S.-based jets

EASA Approves Butler Avionics TAWS for Learjet 35/36

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.

Company plans to develop upgrades for Part 25 aircraft

Garmin Adds Sherpa Air as Service, Installation Center

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.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

These demonstrations are based on real-life incidents where this technology could have given pilots more time to react.

We Fly on Honeywell’s Boeing 757 and Experience Its New Runway Safety Alert Technology

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.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Approval allows operators allows 100-foot decision height on approaches in all conditions

EASA OKs Falcon 6X for Enhanced Flight Vision System Ops

Amy Wilder

Rollout begins with CJ2 and CJ2+ operators

Tamarack and ForeFlight Expand Active Winglet Data

Airlines conduct more flights, but more GA aircraft are eligible to participate

GA, Bizav Surpass Airlines in CPDLC Participation

Curt Epstein

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Avionics

EASA Approves Butler Avionics TAWS for Learjet 35/36

Terrain awareness and warning system is available for Europe- and U.S.-based jets

Garmin Adds Sherpa Air as Service, Installation Center

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We Fly on Honeywell’s Boeing 757 and Experience Its New Runway Safety Alert Technology

These demonstrations are based on real-life incidents where this technology could have given pilots more time to react.

EASA OKs Falcon 6X for Enhanced Flight Vision System Ops

Approval allows operators allows 100-foot decision height on approaches in all conditions

Tamarack and ForeFlight Expand Active Winglet Data

Rollout begins with CJ2 and CJ2+ operators

GA, Bizav Surpass Airlines in CPDLC Participation

Airlines conduct more flights, but more GA aircraft are eligible to participate

AIN Product Support Survey 2025 - Avionics

Garmin and Gulfstream take top spots

Garmin Autoland, Autothrottle OK’d for Some King Air 300s

The upgrade requires the G1000NXi cockpit upgrade

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