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

Aircraft manufacturer Air is advancing plans to bring both&nbsp;uncrewed and piloted versions of its Air One eVTOL model to market. In recent weeks, it has expanded flight trials, as well as laying the foundations for the production phases of the program through&nbsp;an agreement for engineering group EDAG, which will provide the main aerostructures for production models.
EDAG has already delivered the first sets of structures, using aerospace-grade components and production processes it has honed in the automotive sector.&nbsp;By September, eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Air expects to open its new manufacturing site in Israel, which will supplement its main production capacity in Texas.
The Air One design has been revised and now features folding wings and arms that support its eight electric motors. These changes are intended to make transportation and storage easier, and the aircraft can now fit into a 20-foot container or be pulled on a standard trailer by a large SUV or truck.
The aircraft also now offers 70 cubic feet of space for cargo to increase the volume that can be transported. In a passenger configuration, the cabin space has not been increased because a firewall is required to separate the baggage compartment. However, Air’s CEO and co-founder, Rani Plaut, told AIN the interior is more comfortable than a typical two-seater aircraft.
In May, Air started night flight trials with an uncrewed cargo version of the aircraft under an experimental airworthiness certificate issued by Israeli authorities. The company said it has a launch customer for this model, with a logistics group planning to deploy a fleet of 12 aircraft in remote locations following deliveries planned for later this year.
According to Plaut, these trial operations are providing real-world experience and data that will support other early adopters. With the client, Air’s team flew packages between two distribution points, teaching employees with no previous experience how to load and unload the aircraft.
Air started flying its first prototype in 2022 and quickly had visits from prospective defense and logistics clients asking for early access to the aircraft. Since most of the Air One’s functions are automated, they concluded that it made sense to prioritize early uncrewed use cases.
<h2>FAA’s Mosaic Path Set To Open Up</h2>
The first aircraft was delivered in 2023, and since then, it has sold 15 more and delivered two of these. Plaut said he hopes to deliver another 10 this year and at least five more in 2026, when the company aims to get FAA approval under the new <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2023-07-20/faa-proposes-modernizing-special-airworthiness-certs">Mosaic special airworthiness</a> rules to accelerate market entry for new light sports aircraft.
According to Plaut, the Trump Administration is committed to supporting innovation in aviation. “The FAA has moved relatively fast and although it could move faster, we can’t take our hands off the safety knob, but we’re seeing the difference already,” he commented.
For the original piloted Air One concept, Air says it now has 2,500 U.S. buyers on a waiting list across all 50 states. Initially, Plaut expects delivery volumes to start at a fairly conservative rate, and he acknowledged that under the Mosaic requirements, early operations will tend to be in more remote areas to manage risk for aircraft that will be flown by holders of private pilot licenses.
“About 70% of our customers were not pilots before, and we want to remove the ‘niche thing’ about aviation by reducing the required skill set dramatically,” Plaut said. He explained that, for the most part, the Air One pilots will be relaying instructions to the flight computer, which will then action any changes in terms of navigation and power settings.

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.

Air One eVTOL Aircraft Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles

Early use cases include logistics operations with expanded cargo volume

The company developing the Air One eVTOL vehicle expects the FAA’s new Mosaic roles to speed up market entry, along with cargo-carrying early use cases.

Air One eVTOL Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

OEM increased its midsize bizjet deliveries by 86% year over year in the first six months

Embraer’s Praetor Deliveries Take Off in 1H2025

Jessica Reed

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.

Cirrus Aircraft will invest $13M to expand the facility by 30,000 sq ft

Cirrus Expands Grand Forks Manufacturing Facility

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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

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.

SEDC Energy and ACI Groupe plan to take equity stakes in the French start-up

VoltAero Finds Backers for Malaysian Production of Cassio Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

Archer Flies Midnight eVTOL Aircraft Prototype in Abu Dhabi

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

Deal signed in the same week EHang sells 50 autonomous eVTOLs to a Chinese customer

Eve Signs Agreement with eVTOL Air Taxi Partners in Costa Rica

Charlotte Bailey

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.

More In Aircraft

Embraer’s Praetor Deliveries Take Off in 1H2025

OEM increased its midsize bizjet deliveries by 86% year over year in the first six months

Cirrus Expands Grand Forks Manufacturing Facility

Cirrus Aircraft will invest $13M to expand the facility by 30,000 sq ft

VoltAero Finds Backers for Malaysian Production of Cassio Aircraft

SEDC Energy and ACI Groupe plan to take equity stakes in the French start-up

Archer Flies Midnight eVTOL Aircraft Prototype in Abu Dhabi

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

Eve Signs Agreement with eVTOL Air Taxi Partners in Costa Rica

Deal signed in the same week EHang sells 50 autonomous eVTOLs to a Chinese customer

Baykar Completes Piaggio Aerospace Acquisition

Turkish aerospace company acquires Italian aerospace entities following regulatory approval

Mystery Customer Buying Up to 120 Global, Challenger Jets

Undisclosed business jet buyer has yet to announce service offering

Celebrating the Goodyear Blimp’s 100th Birthday

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has operated its fleet of flying ambassadors since 1925

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN