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

Leonardo Helicopters AW109, AW109C, AW109 Grand, AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker, AW109 Power, and AW109 K2, also Agusta A109 and A109 Power

Charles Alcock

The UK government is canceling plans for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior ministers to travel in a leased helicopter operated by the Royal Air Force. Defense secretary John Healey has determined that the new Labour administration will not renew a five-year contract when it expires at the end of this year.
In 2023, former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak overruled Ben Wallace, the defense secretary at the time, who had sought to scrap a contract under which Leonardo’s UK distributor Sloane Helicopters provided a pair of AW109 rotorcraft to be flown by RAF pilots and based at Northolt airfield in west London. The contract, worth up to £40 million ($52.9 million), was subsequently put out to tender for planned renewal at the end of 2024, but the Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday that this will not be signed.
Starmer’s government is poised to implement significant cuts to public spending. During the recent UK general election campaign, his Labour Party strongly criticized Sunak and other Conservative leaders for traveling by helicopter for short trips they argued could have been made more cost-effectively by train.
For international flights by government leaders, the Royal Air Force’s 32 Squadron operates a VIP-equipped Airbus A330 Voyager aircraft. Senior members of the royal family have access to chartered jets operated by Luxaviation UK under an agreement signed in 2009.

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

UK Government To Scrap Contract for Ministerial Helicopter Flights

New contract will not be signed at the end of 2024

The UK's new Labour administration will not sign a new contract under which leased helicopters are operated by the Royal Air Force for government flights.

UK Government To Scrap Contract for Helicopter Flights

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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.

Vertical Aviation International leader prepares to embark on new role at GAMA

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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.

In this article

Leonardo AW109 Series

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