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

The UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute this week appointed 10 specialists to the leadership team for its FlyZero program. The government-funded work is aiming to support the start of carbon-free commercial air services by 2030.
The FlyZero management team announced on January 7 will lead a group of around 100 technical experts in an initial 12-month strategic research project investigating the design challenges, manufacturing demands, and marketing opportunity of potential zero-emission aircraft concepts. It was launched in July 2020 by Alok Sharma, who was then secretary of state for business, energy, and industrial strategy. 
The new team has been drawn largely from UK-based aircraft engines maker Rolls-Royce, as well as aerospace group Airbus, GKN, and British universities. Like other UK aerospace companies, Rolls-Royce has been downsizing in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and last year it scrapped its joint E-FanX program to develop hybrid propulsion systems with Airbus. However, it is still working on the Accel 1 electric aircraft technology demonstrator.
The latest FlyZero appointments include&nbsp;the following positions:
<ul>
<li>Dr. Katy Milne (head of industrial strategy)&nbsp;was formerly chief engineer for the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing’s £14 million DRAMA program. She has 15 years’ experience in manufacturing research and supply-chain engagement at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Rolls-Royce, and Imperial College in London.</li>
<li>Mark Howard (head of commercial strategy)&nbsp;previously held engineering and commercial roles with Airbus, most recently head of business development.</li>
<li>Naresh Kumar (head of sustainability) is a visiting professor in aeronautics and automotive at Loughborough University&nbsp;and&nbsp;previously was&nbsp;chief of environmental technology with Rolls-Royce.</li>
<li>Steve Newbury (academic coordinator) is a visiting professor in future business and materials at the University of Oxford.</li>
<li>Chris Hughes (head of project management) was head of advanced product development with Spirit Aerosystems UK, having previously been head of engineering for the wing of the Airbus A350 airliner.</li>
<li>Simon Webb (chief engineer, propulsion) was involved in developing a titanium-composite fan for Rolls-Royce, having previously worked on the Trent XWB aircraft engine program.</li>
<li>Tim Galsworthy (chief engineer-airframe) is a wing specialist with 42 years of experience at Airbus, where he worked on the A400M and A350 programs.</li>
<li>Mark Whillier (chief engineer-airframe) is an aerostructure specialist joining FlyZero from GKN Aerospace Services.</li>
<li>David Debney (chief engineer-whole aircraft integration) joined ATI as head of technology for whole aircraft in January 2019. He was previously chief of future aircraft concepts with Rolls-Royce, where he was responsible for developing concept designs for hybrid propulsion systems.</li>
</ul>
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Charles Alcock

The UK Aerospace Technology Institute has mainly recruited the leadership team for its FlyZero program from British aviation groups such as Rolls-Royce, which is working on the Accel electric aircraft technology demonstrator. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

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