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 uncrewed cargo eVTOL aircraft under development at Texas-based start-up Air recently completed night flight trials. According to the company, the demonstration flights were conducted at a site in northern Israel with an undisclosed launch customer, which has clearance to operate the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-06-18/uncrewed-air-one-cargo-evtol-aircraft-attracts-early-interest">550-pound payload vehicle</a> under an experimental airworthiness certificate.
Pending type certification, the experimental approval restricts flights to beyond densely populated areas and controlled airspace around airports. Air’s launch customer, which is a logistics service provider, is expected to expand cargo operations with a fleet of 12 of the aircraft in remote locations following deliveries during the course of this year.
“There remains a significant and underserved opportunity for on-demand cargo operations between major cities and rural or remote regions, including areas with limited infrastructure or rough terrain,” Air CEO Rani Plaut told AIN. “This is precisely the gap our launch customer is addressing, and the operational data collected during these missions directly supports the path to full certification and scaled development.”
<h2>Self-piloted Personal eVTOL Is Next</h2>
Since 2020, Air has been working with the FAA on plans to certify the two-seat, piloted Air One version of the same design for personal use under the U.S. agency’s light sports aircraft rules. Reporting more than 2,400 “pre-order” agreements for Air One and a doubling in the size of its team over the past year, the company said that data collected from the uncrewed flight trials will support this certification process. The aircraft features electric motors developed by <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-02-26/nidec-developing-electric-motors-air-one-personal-evtol-aircraft">Japan’s Nidec</a>.
The night flight trials have helped Air and its customer establish standard operating procedures for the uncrewed eVTOL model. The company said that simplified handling requirements mean operators’ ground crews can quickly adapt the cargo platform to various operating environments with minimal training.
“Operations don’t stop once the sun goes down,” Plaut said. “We’re proud to have completed this rigorous round of nighttime flight operations showcasing that Air’s eVTOL for cargo use is ready for 24/7 use.”

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