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

UK air navigation service provider NATS and multiple partners recently concluded a series of simulation exercises to assess how eVTOL aircraft can best be integrated into the country’s public airspace. In a report published this week, members of the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-07-15/uks-future-flight-challenge-funds-new-advanced-mobility-ecosystem">Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium</a> summarized how they are preparing for planned demonstration flights in late 2024.
The consortium is part of the government-backed Future Flight Challenge with funding from UK Research and Innovation. Its members include British eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace, as well as Virgin Atlantic Airways;&nbsp;AtkinsRéalis;&nbsp;Skyports;&nbsp;Heathrow, Bristol, and London City airports;&nbsp;the Connected Places Catapult;&nbsp;and Cranfield and Warwick universities.
During the exercises, NATS simulated eVTOL flights from Bristol in the west of England through the airspace around Farnborough Airport and then into London City Airport. The flights “operated” alongside existing air traffic and in controlled airspace with no disruption to operations.
Under a concept of operations proposed by NATS, each eVTOL operator would file its flight plans via an app, and these would then be approved or amended as necessary. Before takeoff, the company’s Airspace Manager system will deconflict the eVTOL vehicles from other nearby aircraft and then monitor the airspace from a digital control room. Digital voice communications between eVTOL pilots and air traffic control would be required only in exceptional circumstances. During the simulations, a controller handled the Airspace Manager function but NATS envisages this being entirely automated in the future.

Charles Alcock

UK Air Traffic Management Group Reports on eVTOL Operations Exercises

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN