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

Joby is in the early stages of planning&nbsp;flights in its eVTOL aircraft prototype over San Francisco Bay. The company has confirmed reports in TechCrunch that it has filed an <a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=288076&amp;x=.">application</a> with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for special temporary authority to use specific radio frequencies to conduct the flight tests, each lasting around an hour and at 5,000 feet. It says it is also discussing the plan with other local and federal authorities, presumably including the FAA.
Earlier this month, Joby reported that it has added a second preproduction prototype to a flight-test program that has already logged more than 5,300 miles. This included a flight of just under 155 miles on a single electric charge, which the company claims is the longest flight yet by an eVTOL aircraft, although its rival Beta Technologies says that its fixed-wing Alia 250 prototype has flown 205 miles. Joby also recently reported a flight in which the aircraft achieved a top speed of 205 mph.
According to TechCrunch, Joby intends to make public flights close to two popular sightseeing locations: one&nbsp;between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island and the other&nbsp;to the south of the Bay Bridge and close to Alameda. A company spokesperson confirmed the details in the story.&nbsp;
Over the past couple of years,&nbsp;much of Joby’s flight testing has been conducted near Jolon in California's Monterey county.
Rival eVTOL aircraft developers EHang and Volocopter have already conducted multiple public demonstration flights in&nbsp;Asia and Europe.
This story was updated on February 18 to correct information about the location for Joby's flight test program.

Charles Alcock

Joby has flown its eVTOL prototype more than 5,300 miles but so far only over private land not easily visible to the public. (Image: Joby)

Joby Seeks Clearance for Public eVTOL Flight Demonstrations in San Francisco

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