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

The UK’s former chief inspector of border security has accused the government of covering up his allegations that the Border Force failed to adequately screen business aircraft arriving at London City Airport (EGLC). In a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6602a4a7a6c0f7580fef91e4/A_spot_check_inspection_of_Border_Force_s_operational_response_to_general_aviation_flights_at_London_City_Airport_January_to_February_2024.pdf">report presented to parliament</a>, David Neal highlighted what he said were failings in how flights categorized as “high risk” were screened at the airport-owned Private Jet Centre FBO, indicating that officials were at times under-resourced and had not been provided with sufficiently clear guidance and training.
In February, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly fired Neal for allegedly breaching “the terms of his appointment.” The government has yet to appoint a successor to the role, which is supposed to provide independent oversight of border security arrangements. Media coverage around Neal's departure and the concerns he has raised appears to have fueled a perception that <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-07/aircraft-operators-fbos-face-new-uk-border-controls">private aviation</a>, which is already the focus of adverse attention over environmental issues, might be enjoying unwarranted leeway in how it operates.
In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Neal suggested that the issues identified at EGLC may also be happening at other airports, calling for closer scrutiny of business aviation movements. “If I were still in post, or if my successor had been appointed, then I would have expected to commence an inspection much more broadly into general aviation because clearly there are problems here,” he told the broadcaster’s "Today" show. “We’d want to do something right across the country, I suspect, but there is no one that can independently do this now.”
Border Force director general Phil Douglas said that some of the information in Neal’s report was based on inaccurate data. “Border security checks were carried out on all general aviation arrivals at London City Airport,” he insisted, without specifying whether these were in-person checks or remote screening of flight details.
During the British Business &amp; General Aviation Association’s annual conference in London on March 7, FBOs and operators complained about the rising cost of security arrangements. Jason Hayward, general manager of Universal Aviation’s FBO at London Stansted Airport, said changing requirements imposed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority had resulted in spiraling costs. For instance, new C3 three-dimensional x-ray machines cost around £250,000 ($315,000) and swabs used to check bags for substances such as explosives residue cost £500 for 100 tests.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

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

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.

The FAA released a long-awaited rulemaking as it attempts to catch up with its European counterpart

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Added protocols involve electronic approvals ahead of flights

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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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 concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Embraer spinoff is now targeting type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL in 2027

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

Publicly available flight data puts some bizav operators at risk

Flight Deck Panelists Address Identity Tracking Threats

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.

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.

NaviGuard offers real-time GPS monitoring

Free Aircraft Performance Group App Combats Spoofing

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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.

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