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

<h3 class="subheading">Supernal Executive Mike Whitaker Confirmed as FAA Administrator</h3>
Supernal’s chief operating officer, Mike Whitaker, will be the new FAA Administrator after the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to approve his nomination by the Biden Administration. The appointment has been widely welcomed by aviation groups, and especially by eVTOL aircraft developers, who have express optimism that Whitaker’s experience with <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-10-20/supernal-teams-mecaer-and-hyundai-develop-evtol-aircraft-landing-gear">Hyundai’s advanced air mobility subsidiary, Supernal</a>, will provide a boost for efforts to achieve type certification, as hoped, by the end of 2025.
Prior to joining Supernal in April 2020, Whitaker ran his own consultancy. He had previously spent just over three years with the FAA as its deputy administrator and chief NextGen officer, and earlier was with United Airlines for almost 15 years as its senior vice president for alliances, international and regulatory affairs. It has been almost 19 months since the U.S. air safety agency had a permanent administrator, and the incumbent faces multiple challenges in trying to get key programs back on track.
<h3 class="subheading">VoltAero Receives Design Award for Hybrid-electric Cassio Aircraft</h3>
The French Institute of Design (Institut Français du Design) has awarded the 2023 Janus Label of Excellence to French aircraft developer VoltAero for the clean-sheet design of its <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-19/voltaero-unveils-first-cassio-330-prototype-aircraft-ahead-first-flight">Cassio</a> family of hybrid-electric aircraft.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-09/french-government-backs-voltaeros-hybrid-electric-cassio-aircraft-eu56">VoltAero</a> was recognized for its unique airframe configuration, which features a forward fixed canard and an aft wing with twin booms supporting a high-set T-tail stabilizer. The aircraft’s hybrid-electric powertrain can run entirely on battery power, with the combustion engine serving as both a range extender and a backup for the electrical propulsion system.&nbsp;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center">
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
 
 
 <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/voltaero_cassio_rendering.jpeg" width="1785" height="897" alt="VoltAero's Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft" title="VoltAero's Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft has received a French design award. (image: VoltAero)">

</div>
 
 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">VoltAero's Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft has received a French design award. (image: VoltAero)</div>
 
 </article>

<figcaption>VoltAero's Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft has received a French design award. (image: VoltAero)</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 class="subheading">Jetson One Personal eVTOL Approved for Flight in Italy</h3>
Jetson says it has received a permit from Italy’s air safety regulators allowing pilots to fly the company’s <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-20/jetson-refines-design-personal-evtol-vehicle-fundraising-continues">Jetson One</a> personal eVTOL aircraft in uncontrolled airspace. According to Jetson, this is the first time an ultralight eVTOL aircraft has been approved for use in Italy.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the Sweden-based company says it has also recently received authorization from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority to fly the single-seat aircraft remotely with no pilot on board. This authorization “allows us to gradually expand the flight envelope of the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-20/jetson-refines-design-personal-evtol-vehicle-fundraising-continues">Jetson One</a>, all without exposing a test-pilot to potential risk when we explore the limits of the vehicle,” said Jetson CEO Stephan D'haene.&nbsp;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center">
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
 
 
 <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/Jetson.png" width="2048" height="1152" alt="Jetson One personal eVTOL vehicle." title="Jetson says that its Jetson One single-seat personal eVTOL vehicle has been approved under ultralight rules in Italy. (Image: Jetson)">

</div>
 
 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Jetson says that its Jetson One single-seat personal eVTOL vehicle has been approved under ultralight rules in Italy. (Image: Jetson)</div>
 
 </article>

<figcaption>Jetson says that its Jetson One single-seat personal eVTOL vehicle has been approved under ultralight rules in Italy. (Image: Jetson)</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 class="subheading">Pal-V Says Liberty Flying Car Deliveries Will Start in Late 2024</h3>
Pal-V this week committed to making first deliveries of its Liberty Pioneer Edition flying car in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Dutch company told AIN the vehicle will be certified under EASA’s CS27 rules covering small rotorcraft and also European L5E regulations covering road use.
In addition to use for private travel, Pal-V expects to see the Liberty deployed for applications such as law enforcement and&nbsp;emergency medical response, plus security, peace-keeping and military missions. The company says it holds 80 preorders from sales operations across 10 countries. Existing partners and customers include Kuwait Airways and GKN Aerospace, as well as maintenance provider<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-07-14/pal-v-sells-five-liberty-flying-cars-aircraft-maintenance-firm"> Primus Aero</a> and SkyAngels Air Ambulance.
With a base price of €299,000, the Liberty will takeoff and land from airfields or private property, if that is permitted by local regulations. Customers receive training for a gyroplane license at Pal-V’s FlyDrive Academy, completing six modules each lasting five days, that include&nbsp;practical instruction and theory.&nbsp;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center">
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
 
 
 <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/PAL-V0532.jpg" width="6421" height="4281" alt="PAL-V's Liberty flying car" title="Pal-V says it will start delivering its Liberty flying car in the fourth quarter of 2024. (Image: Pal-V)">

</div>
 
 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Pal-V says it will start delivering its Liberty flying car in the fourth quarter of 2024. (Image: Pal-V)</div>
 
 </article>

<figcaption>Pal-V says it will start delivering its Liberty flying car in the fourth quarter of 2024. (Image: Pal-V)</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 class="subheading">FAA Approves Public-use Vertiport at Army Airfield in Virginia</h3>
Earlier this month, the FAA gave conditional approval for what will be the first licensed public-use vertiport in the U.S.:&nbsp;a new facility at <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-03/faa-approves-first-public-use-vertiport">Blackstone Army Airfield in Virginia</a>. Local air navigation services company Navos Air has advocated for the vertiport at the dual-use military-civil airport and the project is being partly funded by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation.
When completed and licensed, the vertiport will initially be used for research and trial eVTOL and drone operations. Blackstone is about 60 miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia.
&nbsp;

Charles Alcock

Supernal's chief operating officer is about to take over as FAA Administrator. (image: AIN)

FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN