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
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
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.
Aircraft
Liebherr and GM To Collaborate on Hydrogen Fuel Cells
General Motors’ Hydrotec technology would serve as the basis for a new integrated hydrogen fuel cell system for airliners.
Airlines
Airlines, Airports Sue UK Government Over Covid Travel Rules
Ryanair and Manchester Airport Group are demanding a full judicial review of the UK's Covid travel restrictions.
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.
FutureFlight
Former Airbus CEO Thomas Enders To Chair Lilium after Qell Merger
The board of German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium will be lead by former Airbus CEO Thomas Enders following its imminent completion of its planned IPO merger with special purpose acquisition company Qell.
FutureFlight
SAE Close to Completing Guidance on Endurance Tests for Electric Aircraft Engines
Industry standards group SAE International will soon publish guidelines advising developers of new electric propulsion systems how they can adequately test them for durability and integrity.
FutureFlight
European Ferry Group Commits To Buying Regent Sea Gliders
Brittany Ferries wants to start operating a version of Regent Craft's new electric sea glider that would be able to carry between 50 and 150 passengers on popular routes between France and the UK.
FutureFlight
Xeriant and XTI Aircraft Form Joint Venture To Bring TriFan 600 VTOL Aircraft To Market
At a June 14 press conference Xeriant and XTI Aircraft confirmed plans for a 50:50 joint venture to pursue type certification for the hybrid-electric TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
New Zealand Coastal Site Now Available for Aerospace Test Facilities
Developers of eVTOL aircraft are among the aerospace companies being invited to establish test and development facilities on coastal land on the Kaitorete Spit near Christchurch on New Zealand's south island.
FutureFlight
EHang Deploys eVTOL Aircraft in Chinese Covid Containment Effort
EHang is providing support to officials in China's Guangdong provinces who are trying to reverse a resurgence in Covid-19 infections. Several of its eVTOL aircraft and drones are being operated from a base in Guangzhou.
Aircraft
XTI Partners With Xeriant To Develop TriFan VTOL
XTI believes its fixed-wing, ducted fan VTOL aircraft will be bought by operators currently using existing business aircraft and helicopters.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Standards Group SAE Issues Guidance On Durability and Integrity of Electric Propulsion
The new ARP8689 document from SAE International is intended to help electric propulsion system developers meet the requirements of regulators for durability and integrity.
Aircraft
Airbus Starts Work on Hydrogen Fuel Tanks for Airliners
Airbus has set up Zero Emissions Development Centers in France and Germany to develop cryogenic hydrogen fuel tanks for its planned Zero E airliners.
FutureFlight
Eve Partners with Ascent To Prepare for eVTOL Flights in the Asia Pacific Region
Ascent says that flights in the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft being developed by Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions will be offered through its booking platform in various Asia Pacific countries.
FutureFlight
Embraer's Eve Urban Air Mobility Unit Seeks Merger With Zanite SPAC
The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer confirmed that its Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions subsidiary is in talks to merge with Nasdaq-listed Zanite Acquisition Corp to advance plans to develop eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Airlines Place Biggest eVTOL Orders To Date As Vertical Goes Public
Vertical Aerospace is merging with special purpose acquisition company Broadstone, boosted by pre-orders for up to 1,000 of its VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft from American, Virgin and Avolon.
Aircraft
Embraer Confirms Talks To Merge Eve eVTOL Unit with Zanite
Embraer is in talks over a possible merger of its Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions subsidiary and special purpose acquisition company Zanite.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Blog Takes Readers Behind the Curtain to See the eVTOL Aircraft Certification Process for What It is
Lilium's chief program officer and head of airworthiness have co-authored a guide to how the company is navigating the path towards type certification for its seven-seater eVTOL aircraft.
Airlines
European Airlines Plead For Covid Relief and Lasting Reforms
Leaders of Airlines For Europe member carriers called for Covid-19 travel restrictions to lift from July 1 and an end to punitive ATC charges.
FutureFlight
Archer Unveils Maker eVTOL Technology Demonstrator
Archer says it expects to start test flights in the fourth quarter of 2021 with the two-seat Maker technology demonstrator, which will pave the way for the eVTOL aircraft it plans to bring to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Lilium Selects Honeywell To Supply Fly-by-wire Flight Controls and Avionics for eVTOL
The German startup agreed the partnership with Honeywell after a two-year competitive bidding process and the U.S. company is making an undisclosed direct investment in Lilium.
FutureFlight
Electric Aircraft Developers Now Have Battery Options With Epic Family Rollout
Electric Power Systems has launched its new Epic family of batteries which can support a wide array of all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
FutureFlight
Electra Confirms Design for Hybrid-Electric STOL Regional Aircraft
The U.S. company now intends to show the design for a seven-passenger short takeoff and landing aircraft to prospective customers as it prepares to bring it to market by 2026.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Indians and Brazilians Identified as Most Likely Advanced Air Mobility Early Adopters
McKinsey surveyed 4,800 consumers in the U.S., China, Brazil, India, Germany, and Poland about their attitudes toward riding in eVTOL aircraft and receiving cargo deliveries that way.
FutureFlight
Alaskan Regional Airline Signs Launch Commitment for Airflow's Hybrid-electric STOL Aircraft
Ravn Alaska has signed a letter of intent under which it would add 50 of Airflow's new eSTOL aircraft to its Anchorage-based fleet from 2025.
FutureFlight
JetPack Commits to Running Speeder Utility VTOL Vehicle on "Fuel from Air"
JetPack Aviation is partnering with Prometheus Fuels to make fuel produced by reclaiming atmospheric carbon available for its Speeder VTOL aircraft and also its "personal turbine" JetPacks.
FutureFlight
Eve Lands Another eVTOL Launch Order, This Time from Helicopter Operator Helisul
Brazilian helicopter operator Helisul Aviation has made a commitment to buy up to 50 of the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft being developed by Embraer subsidiary Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions.
Aircraft
Airship Maker: Passengers Will Choose Comfort over Speed
Hybrid Air Vehicles has unveiled cabin concepts for its Airlander 10 hybrid-electric airship carrying up to 100 passengers on regional airline routes.
