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

Signature Aviation has launched a partnership with Wisk Aero to prepare ground infrastructure to support commercial operations with the Boeing subsidiary’s autonomous eVTOL aircraft. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, the FBO group said it will develop vertiports alongside its private aviation terminals in Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami, which Wisk expects to be launch markets for its pilotless, four-seat aircraft.
Wisk is preparing to start flight testing its Generation 6 prototype, having previously conducted more than 1,750 flights with five earlier iterations. The company has not yet established a basis for certifying the aircraft for <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-05-21/nasa-and-wisk-team-autonomous-air-traffic-integration">autonomous operations</a> with the FAA, and appears to be targeting service entry no sooner than 2030.
In June, Wisk <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-06-18/wisk-adds-evtol-partnerships-florida-and-japan">announced partnerships</a> with Miami and Kaga, Japan, aimed at developing plans for eVTOL air services. The manufacturer’s agreement with Miami-Dade Aviation Department covers plans for vertiports at Miami International (KMIA), Miami Executive (KTMB), and Opa Locka Executive (KOPF) airports.
In 2024, Wisk signed an agreement with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-06-17/houston-and-wisk-expand-plans-autonomous-evtol-air-services">Houston-area airports</a>&nbsp;George Bush Intercontinental (KIAH), William P. Hobby (KHOU), and Ellington (KEFD), as well as with the nearby city of Sugar Land. The new partnership with Signature specifically covers plans for a vertiport at Ellington Airport, and the group has FBOs at all three Miami-area airports.
<h2>eVTOLs Alongside Business Jets</h2>
“We anticipate that electric aircraft of all types, including eVTOLs, will be operated alongside our existing business aircraft operations,” a Signature spokesman told AIN.&nbsp;“The timing and nature of those operations is still to be determined and will vary based on the market and operators’ requirements.”
Wisk and Signature will now develop vertiport concepts, as well as define potential layouts for ground infrastructure and operational workflows. The agreement could be extended to cover future commercial air taxi operations.
“We are very excited to collaborate with Signature Aviation to pioneer the future of autonomous flight,” said Dan Dalton, Wisk’s vice president of commercial partnerships. “As the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, Signature’s forward-leaning approach to aviation modernization aligns with our vision.”
During the NBAA regional forum in Orlando, Florida, both Signature Aviation and its rival Atlantic Aviation confirmed <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-02-27/fbo-chains-working-build-vertiports-evtol-ops">plans to develop vertiports</a> for eVTOL vehicles. Signature has FBOs in more than 200 locations in 27 countries across five continents.

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In this article

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