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

Latest news about Chinese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer EHang

EHang has conducted a flight trial with a cargo-carrying version of its uncrewed VT-20 eVTOL aircraft. On August 1, the Chinese manufacturer reported that the vehicle completed a round-trip delivery mission between the cities of Zhuhai and Guangzhou, covering a distance of just over 45 nm in 55 minutes.
The flight was conducted on July 30 during the Wanshan Archipelago Low-Altitude Integrated Application Conference in partnership with Wanyi Tianxia (Zhuhai) Aviation, a joint venture between EHang, Zhuhai Wanshan Development Group, and Feixing Tianxia (Zhuhai) Technology.
Taking off from the UAV Logistics Operations Hub at Tangjiagang Port in Zhuhai,&nbsp;the VT-20 carried fresh seafood to the EHang Future City Suigang Port in Guangzhou. Then the aircraft made another flight carrying medical testing samples from the Yunkang Da’an Laboratory back to Zhuhai.
According to the partners, the aircraft completed the first flight 40 minutes faster than if the trip had been made by road. They said this would have increased to 60 minutes during peak-hour congestion in these busy urban areas.
EHang has developed the VT-20 as a follow-on product to the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-03-31/ehang-earns-worlds-first-evtol-air-operator-certificate">EH216-S eVTOL air taxi</a> that has recently commenced operations in several Chinese cities. The company is also working on a larger, longer-range model called the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2022-01-04/ehang-secures-launch-order-longer-range-vt-30">VT-30</a>.
Local government leaders are eager to develop new eVTOL air services covering aerial tourism, marine “ranching,” and transportation to island communities. “The low-altitude economy is emerging as a strategic focal point for the next wave of industrial development,” said Juan Li, director of the Zhuhai Wanshan District Administrative Committee. “Wanshan district is accelerating efforts to build up a national leading demonstration zone for integrated low-altitude applications in island regions. We’re building maritime infrastructure, expanding aerial corridors and a low-altitude network across the [Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau] Greater Bay Area.”

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.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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