<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>


Managing Editor

<p><span><span><span>Skyroads is setting up a flight test site at Augsburg Airport in southern Germany to serve as a development hub for its air traffic automation technology. The Munich-based company will use the facility with its partners to prepare for the integration of new eVTOL aircraft and large drones into controlled airspace, including urban environments.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Investments in the Augsburg site are being co-funded by the state of Bavaria. It will be used as what Skyroads calls “a large-scale real-life laboratory” for aircraft manufacturers and operators, as well as vertiport developers and other ground infrastructure providers, to test equipment and processes. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>The organizations involved in the project include eVTOL aircraft developers <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-11-24/skyroads-joins-supernals-efforts-develop-advanced-air-mobility-airspace">Superal</a>, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-23/italian-air-taxi-start-walle-gets-air-traffic-management-support-d3">Manta</a>, and FlyNow Aviation. Other partners named by Skyroads include public transportation platform Flix, the Technical University of Munich, and&nbsp;drone companies Hybrid-Airplane Technologies and Blueflight, as well as the Horyzn student research initiative and flight controls specialist Amazilia Aerospace.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>In an announcement this week, Skyroads said it will use the test site to improve common data communication technologies that support its automated flight control system for advanced air mobility services. The company, which was formerly known as<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-11-05/air-traffic-management-specialist-d3-rebrands-skyroads"> D3 Technologies</a>, also intends the facility to be used for exercises required for the approval of equipment and operations by safety regulators.</span></span></span></p>
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            <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">  <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/Systemshot-2-fuer-Langfilm.png" width="1538" height="928" alt="Skyroads is developing air traffic management systems for eVTOL aircraft and large drones." title="Skyroads is developing air traffic management systems for eVTOL aircraft and large drones. (Image: Skyroads)">

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            <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Skyroads is developing air traffic management systems for eVTOL aircraft and large drones. (Image: Skyroads)</div>
      
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<figcaption>Skyroads is developing air traffic management systems for eVTOL aircraft and large drones. (Image: Skyroads)</figcaption>
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<p><span><span><span>Augsburg is already home to several aviation companies and organizations, including MT Aerospace, Rocket Factory, Premium Aerotec, and Germany’s DLR aerospace research agency. Skyroads is now validating and verifying the system architecture it intends to operate at the new location. It is also working with Augsburg Airport to establish an agreement to regulate the planned ground and flight tests.</span></span></span></p>
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            <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">  <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/Skyroads-Crew-in-Augsburg-scaled.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="The Skyroads team are working with Augsburg Airport officials to validate how the new flight test facilities can be used." title="The Skyroads team are working with Augsburg Airport officials to validate how the new flight test facilities can be used. (Image: Skyroads)">

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            <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The Skyroads team are working with Augsburg Airport officials to validate how the new flight test facilities can be used. (Image: Skyroads)</div>
      
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<figcaption>The Skyroads team is working with Augsburg Airport officials to validate how the new flight test facilities can be used. (Image: Skyroads)</figcaption>
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<p><span><span><span><a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2020-12-08/funding-round-boosts-d3s-plans-deliver-integrated-air-traffic-management">Skyroads</a> has developed a prototype for its uncrewed traffic management system that consists of an air-to-ground communications&nbsp;system, which the company refers to as a "blue box," that communicates via a cellular network with both the aircraft’s flight control computer and a ground system. The ground system plans routes, supported by what the company calls a "map utility"&nbsp;function that acts as a user interface for entering flight data.</span></span></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Charles Alcock

Augsburg Airport in southern Germany is the site for a new advanced air mobility test center run by air traffic automation group Skyroads. (Image: Skyroads)

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