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

German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium has entered into a partnership with Lufthansa Aviation Training to develop a pilot sourcing and training program to qualify flight crew for its all-electric Lilium Jet. The first phase of the program consists of bespoke Lilium type rating training certification for qualified commercial pilots. 
The project will use technologies including mixed&nbsp;and&nbsp;virtual reality (MR/VR), and&nbsp;the agreement will open possibilities to re-create the program worldwide and generate a stable pipeline of qualified pilots to support the growth of the company and of the industry, said Lilium in a December 9 announcement.&nbsp;In the first phase of the program, all new pilots recruited by Lilium will already hold a commercial pilot's license.&nbsp;Lilium invited professional pilots interested in the prospect of flying for its service to contact the company at <a href="mailto:info@lilium.com">info@lilium.com</a>.&nbsp;
For its part, Lufthansa Aviation Training will provide expertise in&nbsp;the training and development of competencies needed in the new field of piloting, complementing Lilium’s expertise in eVTOLs and the regional air mobility service it hopes to build. Lilium bills the training program as the first of its kind and a significant milestone on its road to launch.&nbsp;
Lilium and Lufthansa Aviation Training, which is a subsidiary of Germany's largest airline,&nbsp;will also jointly work together with EASA and the FAA on certification.&nbsp;Lilium says it expects its five-seat eVTOL vehicle to begin commercial operations by 2025.
“Opening a new professional segment for pilots of the future is a challenge we have long been excited to undertake and Lufthansa Aviation Training is the perfect partner,” said Lilium chief operating officer Remo Gerber. “Their insights, experience, and dedication to forward-thinking training concepts ensure that our pilots will be selected and trained to the highest caliber, an industry-standard which we will establish through this partnership.”
Lilium invited professional pilots interested in the prospect of flying for its service to contact the company at <a href="mailto:info@lilium.com">info@lilium.com</a>.&nbsp;
The training deal comes less than a month after Lilium said it will partner with Tavistock Development Company and the city of Orlando, Florida, to build a vertiport at the heart of the new residential community as part of the wider Aerotropolis business park, located adjacent to Orlando International Airport.
According to Lilium, the Lake Nona vertiport will become the first hub for a network that will provide flight connections for more than 20 million Floridians living within a radius of 185 miles. The company is working towards type certification on both sides of the Atlantic under EASA and FAA Part 23 rules.
According to a report by McKinsey, the urban air mobility sector will need to recruit as many as 60,000 pilots worldwide.

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Charles Alcock

German airline Lufthansa will help Lilium recruit and train flight crew for its eVTOL aircraft. (Photo: Lufthansa)

Lufthansa to Help Lilium Recruit and Train eVTOL Aircraft Flight Crew

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