Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is a senior editor with AIN, 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 Manchester University in the northwest of England and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
FutureFlight On The Radar
Joby's Wall Street Manifesto Makes the Case for Its Merger with Spac Pack Reinvent
A newly published Investment Memo from Joby Aviation and Reinvent Technology Partners spells out what they see as the value proposition behind their plans to dominate the urban air mobility market.
FutureFlight
Volocopter and DB Schenker Prepare Blueprint for eVTOL Cargo Operations
During a proof-of-concept trial at Germany's Stuttgart Messe convention center, Volocopter and logistics group DB Schenker evaluated multiple aspects of ground operations with the VoloDrone eVTOL vehicle.
FutureFlight
Eviation Unveils Redesigned Alice Electric Aircraft as First Flight Approaches
Eviation Aircraft has significantly redesigned its 11-seat all-electric Alice, with a new T-shaped tail and its MagniX electric propulsion units relocated.
Aircraft
Redesigned Eviation Alice Set to Fly Later This Year
Eviation Aircraft today unveiled the revised design for its all-electric Alice aircraft and confirmed plans to complete FAA type certification in 2024.
FutureFlight
Eve Taps Embraer Beacon Platform To Expedite eVTOL Aircraft Maintenance Services
Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions is to include Embraer's Beacon maintenance coordination in its portfolio of services for eVTOL aircraft operations.
FutureFlight
SAE and Eurocae Ask Whether Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Standards Are Fit For Aviation Purposes
The international standards organizations have published new guidance on how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be safely and appropriately applied
FutureFlight
AirCar Completes Airport-to-Airport Flight Trial in Slovakia
Flying car innovator Stefan Klein says his AirCar will be suitable for trips of up to around 600 miles, while being able to quickly convert to road use in urban areas.
Airlines
UK Jet Zero Council Funds Zero Emissions Infrastructure R&D
The Jet Zero Council has provided additional funding for work to develop infrastructure to support electric- and hydrogen-powered aircraft at UK airports.
FutureFlight
Collins Aerospace Ready To Build Electric Motors for Airlander Airship
When it enters service in 2025, Hybrid Air Vehicles' Airlander 10 airship will be powered by two of Collins's 500-kW electric motors in tandem with a pair of diesel engines, but it is expected to be all-electric by 2030.
FutureFlight
USAF Contract Boosts Electra's eSTOL Aircraft Program
Electra expects to start ground testing a technology demonstrator before the end of 2021 for its planned eSTOL aircraft, which is one of several new designs being evaluated by the U.S. Air Force for possible military roles.
FutureFlight
ZeroAvia Starts Work on 19-Seat Hydrogen-Powered Airliner, With Funding In Place For 50-plus Seater
The company will use a pair of 19-seat Dornier 228 twin turboprop aircraft for research and development work under the UK government-backed HyFlyer II program.
FutureFlight
Airways Aviation Signs as Launch Customer for VoltAero's Cassio Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
The pilot-training organization, based at Montpelier in the south of France, will help VoltAero plan for operations of its Cassio family of hybrid-electric aircraft and also develop training for pilots.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Archer's Attorneys Turn the Tables on Wisk in Legal Battle over eVTOL Aircraft Designs
Arguements made by Archer's legal team in an opposition court filing signal a change in tactics in its defense of charges of trade secrets theft made by rival Wisk in a case due to start in San Francisco on July 7.
FutureFlight
Archer Says Wisk Filed eVTOL Patent Only after Hearing about Its Design
The lawsuit between Wisk and Archer is due to be heard before the federal court for the Northern District of California, starting on July 7. Wisk is alleging theft of trade secrets and intellectual property relating to an eVTOL aircraft design.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Opens Consultation on Revised Special Condition VTOL Means of Compliance
The European aviation safety regulator is giving VTOL aircraft developers and other interested parties another chance to comment on the proposed means of compliance for certifying new aircraft under its Special Condition VTOL rules.
FutureFlight
Eve To Provide Up to 60,000 eVTOL Flight Hours to Private Flight Group Blade
The flights will be operated by partner operators in South Florida and on the U.S. West Coast using up to 60 of Eve's planned four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.
Airlines
UK Air Travel Industry Leads Protests over Covid Restrictions
Airline and airport staff joined forces with their managements in a "travel day of action" protest, demanding changes to UK government Covid travel rules.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Rolls-Royce Publishes Ambitious Net-zero Carbon Manifesto
The UK aircraft engines group has committed to achieve specific goals to eliminate carbon from its products and its entire business operation.
FutureFlight
Hyundai Taps Anra for eVTOL Air Traffic Management Support
The South Korean automotive group's Urban Air Mobility Division will work with Anra Technologies to establish operational infrastructure for its planned eVTOL aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service in 2028.
FutureFlight
AirMobility Agrees to Market Dufour's Aero 3 eVTOL In Japan
According to eVTOL aircraft "sales and services platform" AirMobility, Japan expects to see initial advanced air mobility operations as early as 2023.
FutureFlight
Qarbon Aerospace To Build Hexa Multicopter for Lift Aircraft
Lift Aircraft has selected fellow Texas company Qarbon Aerospace as the manufacturing partner for its Hexa electric multicopter, which is intended for leisure flights and personal transportation.
FutureFlight
Archer Recruits Engineers from Collapsed Supersonic Aircraft Company Aerion
More than 20 experienced aviation engineers are moving from defunct supersonic aircraft developer Aerion to eVTOL pioneer Archer, which is working to bring a four-passenger aircraft into commercial service by 2024.
FutureFlight
Prospective 'Drive and Fly' Customers Explain Why They've Signed Up for the Aska Flying SUV
Following an April launch event for NFT's Aska eVTOL vehicle, just under 100 prospective buyers have placed $5,000 deposits to become members of the California-based start-up's "Founders Club."
Aircraft
Skyports, Eve Step Up eVTOL UAM Vertiport Ops Plans
Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions and Skyports are expanding their partnership on EVTOL vertiport ops.
FutureFlight
Eve and Skyports Step Up Efforts To Develop Urban Air Mobility Plans
The Brazil-based eVTOL aircraft developer will work with vertiport developer Skyports on market readiness and a concept for operations exercises to prepare the way for eVTOL air taxi services in cities across Asia and the Americas.
FutureFlight
Volocopter's eVTOL Prototype Makes French Public Debut with Le Bourget Flight
Volocopter's 2X eVTOL prototype flew during the Paris Air Forum at the French capital's Le Bourget Airport on June 21 as part of the German manufacturer's support for plans to launch urban air mobility services in Paris.
FutureFlight
Some eVTOL Revolutionaries May Be Moving Closer to the Business Aviation Mainstream
Certain eVTOL aircraft developers have insisted they have no use for a customer base of private aircraft operators, and prefer to operate air taxi services themselves. But that could be changing as the aircraft get closer to service entry.
FutureFlight
MagniX Expands Power Options with 350 kW and 650 kW Electric Propulsion Units
The new Magni350 and Magni650 electric propulsion units provide lower and higher power ratings than the existing 500 kW Magni500.
FutureFlight
GE Digital Teams with Varon To Develop Urban Air Mobility Plans in Latin America
The industrial software specialist GE Digital this week signed a memorandum of understanding to partner with Varon Vehicles Corporation in its plans to develop urban air mobility infrastructure and services.
FutureFlight
Liebherr-Aerospace Teams With GM to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cells For Aircraft
Automotive group GM is providing its proven Hydrotec fuel cell technology to join forces with experienced aircraft systems integration specialist Liebherr to bring new hydrogen propulsion technology to the aviation sector.
