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

Thales will provide eight of its Reality H full-flight simulators to train German army pilots for the Airbus H145M helicopter. The contract announced on Wednesday at Heli-Expo 2024 also includes three years of support at the Bückeburg International Helicopter Training Center and relates to the contract the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-12-14/airbus-bags-biggest-h145m-helicopter-order">Bundeswehr signed in December</a> with Airbus Helicopters for up to 82 of the twin-engine model (62 firm orders and 20 options).
The level-D-qualified Reality H simulators will be used to help military pilots plan missions, as well as train them to fly the H145Ms. According to Thales, the technology provides an immersive training environment, with a wide range of operational scenarios, and vivid visual scenes.
These full-flight simulators use artificial intelligence-controlled Computer-Generated-Forces SETHI platform, which will also now be added to the simulators used for training on the Bundeswehr’s NH90 helicopters. The technology has been developed to allow pilots to train in conditions as close as possible to real operations. The H145M training program will also be available to pilots from other NATO member states under the terms of the German Leichter Kampfhubschrauber light combat helicopter program.
Thales has previously supplied Reality H full-flight simulators for legacy EC135 helicopters. It has extensive experience collaborating with the manufacturer through the Airbus Helicopters Simpacks program, under which data was integrated with H160 and H145 simulators.

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

Thales To Provide Reality H Simulators for German Army H145M Helicopters

The contract follows an order for up to 82 twins from Airbus Helicopters

German army and NATO pilots will train for missions in the H145M helicopter using Thales' Reality H Level D full-flight simulators.

Thales To Provide Simulators for German Army H145Ms

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

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.

Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher,  Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient

People in Aviation —September 2026

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Austrian manufacturer has yet to say which rotorcraft types it will support 

Axis Announces Plans for Helicopter Training Systems

AIN Staff

In a Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) roundtable on retention, an aviation staffing expert and flight department leaders traded hard-won lessons on money, culture, and knowing who you’re really competing with.

The Retention Stool Has Four Legs: What Flight Departments Get Wrong about Keeping Talent

Across three separate CALS sessions, flight department leaders worked through the same hard questions about earning trust, leading individuals, and holding the line.

Leadership from the Cockpit to the Department: What Three Days of Roundtables Revealed

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 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.

The lack of 3D data is holding back some aspects of manufacturing 

Tapping Data to Safely Drive Up Aerospace Productivity

Matt Thurber

Draper to stay until the end of the year to smooth the transition

Rohloff New Textron Aviation CEO as Ron Draper Retires

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

Heli-Expo 2024

More In Training and Workforce

People in Aviation —September 2026

Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher, Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient

Axis Announces Plans for Helicopter Training Systems

Austrian manufacturer has yet to say which rotorcraft types it will support

The Retention Stool Has Four Legs: What Flight Departments Get Wrong about Keeping Talent

In a Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) roundtable on retention, an aviation staffing expert and flight department leaders traded hard-won lessons on money, culture, and knowing who you’re really competing with.

Leadership from the Cockpit to the Department: What Three Days of Roundtables Revealed

Across three separate CALS sessions, flight department leaders worked through the same hard questions about earning trust, leading individuals, and holding the line.

Tapping Data to Safely Drive Up Aerospace Productivity

The lack of 3D data is holding back some aspects of manufacturing

Rohloff New Textron Aviation CEO as Ron Draper Retires

Draper to stay until the end of the year to smooth the transition

Air Charter Association Expands NextGen Group

Saxon Air executive Rachel Harvey chairs the group for young charter professionals

AINsight: Your Team Is Always Recruiting

Building recruiting reputations for your company long before a job is posted

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