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

Complacency is the biggest safety risk in Europe, according to speakers at EASA’s Annual Safety Conference held in the Danish capital Copenhagen earlier this month. Experts from across the continent’s aviation sector also called for regulations to be reviewed, updated, and simplified to concentrate the safety focus in an increasingly complex operating environment.
“In aviation, we have to constantly reconsider how safe we are,” said EASA executive director Florian Guillermet, reflecting on what the agency has characterized as strong safety performance in recent years. “Our discussions show that we are starting to get a better grip on safety risks at stake today and that we have a common mindset. Now we need to come together to take the right actions, including to ensure that we don’t do compliance for the sake of compliance but for the sake of safety, to keep standards high, while ensuring we have a competitive European aviation industry.”
Conference speakers pointed to multiple safety incidents, including runway incursions and incorrect altimeter settings that came close to resulting in accidents. The conference also addressed potential risks from lithium batteries causing fires on board aircraft.
EASA recently launched a <a href="https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/news/have-your-say-join-our-survey-aviation-rules-simplification">stakeholder survey</a> to gather inputs on possible rule simplification. Conference participants indicated strong support for so-called smart regulation, while some speakers cautioned against compromising safety by changing or removing requirements without a robust framework.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

EASA Safety Conference Warns Against Complacency, Urges Rule Simplification

The conference was held in the Danish capital Copenhagen earlier this month

This year's EASA Annual Safety Conference focused on how the European industry can guard against complacency while making rules simpler and fit for purpose.

EASA Safety Conference Warns Against Complacency

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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.

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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.

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