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

Airbus Helicopters has started building a dedicated test center for its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft within its existing site at Donauwörth in southern Germany. The European aerospace group expects to complete the 1,000 sq m (10,764 sq ft) facility in the first quarter of 2023, at which point it will be used for testing&nbsp;systems for the planned four-passenger vehicle for which it aims to complete EASA type certification in 2025.
To prepare for the first flight of a full-scale prototype in 2023, Airbus engineers will use the new hangar to integrate high-voltage propulsion systems and lithium batteries. Preflight testing will involve the electric motors that drive the CityAirbus’s eight rotors, as well as other systems such as the flight controls and avionics.
“With the groundbreaking ceremony for the Urban Air Mobility Test Center at the Donauwörth site, Airbus Helicopters is laying an important foundation for the further progress of electrically powered aircraft,” commented Anna Christmann, the German government’s aerospace policy coordinator, who participated in the event. “As the federal government, we welcome the efforts made by the industry to develop new propulsion systems and aircraft that will enable climate-neutral aviation.”
Airbus unveiled its plans for CityAirbus NextGen in <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-21/airbus-unveils-plans-larger-fixed-wing-evtol-aircraft">September 2021</a>. The <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/cityairbus-nextgen?model=cityairbus">fixed-wing design</a> features a V-shaped tail and is expected to have a range of 50 miles (80 kilometers) and a maximum speed&nbsp;of 75 mph (120 km/h).
The company has already appointed multiple suppliers and partners for the program. These include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-10/spirit-aerosystems-will-make-wings-cityairbus-nextgen-evtol-aircraft">Spirit AeroSystems</a>, which will make the wings, with both Thales and Diehl contributing flight control equipment. German automotive groups KLK Motorsport and Modell- und Formenbau Blasius Berg are working on the design, development, and manufacturing of what they say will be an ultra-lightweight rear fuselage. 
Rival aircraft manufacturer Boeing is backing California-based start-up Wisk in its efforts to bring a fully autonomous eVTOL vehicle to market. It has been extensively flight testing a two-seat technology demonstrator called Cora but has indicated that it has a larger sixth-generation model in the works.
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Charles Alcock

Airbus Helicopters is building a new eVTOL aircraft test center at Donauwörth in Germany. (Image: Airbus)

Airbus Builds Test Center to Work On CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Aircraft

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