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

Membership in the new eVTOL Flight Test Council—jointly formed by the Vertical Flight Society and the Society of Flight Test Engineers—has grown quickly to 160. The group is working to establish best practices for safety and certification, as well as to promote&nbsp;efficiency and shared knowledge in the development of new aircraft, flight controls, and propulsion systems.
According to council chair Al Lawless, the group has been formed in response to the rapidly increasing volume of flight testing being conducted on new “large-scale” electric aircraft. In his view, many of the pioneers in advanced air mobility are startup companies that have limited connections within the aviation industry and are not connected with industry associations' efforts to share best practices.
“That was OK for smaller aircraft being developed under the Part 107 [55-pound] limit, but [aircraft] masses and energies have been increasing and the time has come for professional societies to purposefully reach out to new-generation flight testers,” Lawless said.
The council is aiming to connect with other industry groups, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and standards organization SAE to share news and information. Membership in these groups is not required for those wishing to participate in the new council, which now includes members from beyond the U.S., including representatives&nbsp;from the European Aviation Safety Agency. It also has representatives from the FAA and the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
“We don’t write standards, but we tend to be the first ones to see what’s happening in terms of performance, so we need to be able to feed into these standards as well as focusing on safety,” Lawless told the council’s November 17 meeting. The group, which already includes multiple aircraft manufacturers and system suppliers, holds biweekly, hour-long meetings as well as some longer webinars. It has also established a community page to share information among members and is establishing a network of specialist committees.
Prospective new members of the council can contact Al Lawless at <a href="mailto:sfte@alawless.com">sfte@alawless.com</a>.

Charles Alcock

Airbus Helicopters is testing its CityAirbus eVTOL technology demonstrator at its facility in Manching, near Munich in southern Germany. (Photo: Airbus)

Flight Test Pilots and Engineers Share Knowledge Through New Council

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN