Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
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.
Latest from Charles Alcock
Avionics
Honeywell Nearing First Hybrid-electric Power Application
Honeywell is making big investments in the advanced air mobility sector, developing new propulsion and avionics systems.
Sustainability and Environment
L3Harris Expands Training Capacity To Solve Pilot Shortage
L3Harris is investing in new training facilities and technologies and is calling on airlines to fund a strategic response to the critical pilot shortage.
Aircraft
New Large-cabin Business Jets Reflect Private Aviation Boom
Gulfstream and Dassault are both close to bringing their respective new G700 and Falcon 6X models to market, while Bombardier has unveiled the Global 8000.
FutureFlight
Dutch Regulators Stop VoltAero's Plans for Hybrid-Electric Cassio Test Flights
VoltAero has had to scrap plans to fly its aircraft between four regional airports across the Netherlands as part of the Power Up project.
FutureFlight
Hydrogen Flight Crash Report Highlights Faults in ZeroAvia's Test Process
The UK report into the April 2021 accident found that the aircraft lost electrical power after pilots switched off the battery with the intention that the motors would be powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells.
Accidents
Crash Report Notes Flaws in ZeroAvia’s Test Process
An April 2021 accident stemmed from ZeroAvia’s flight-test team failing to review the risk assessment following loss of propulsion on previous flights.
Aircraft
Aviation's Electric Dreams Fast Approach Reality
Several electric aircraft developers and partners supporting them with new propulsion technology expect to see their wares in service within a few years.
Aircraft
Farnborough Show Set To Boost Conflicted Aerospace Industry
The aerospace and defense community has been through an existential challenge since the 2018 show, and it still faces multiple post-Covid difficulties.
FutureFlight
Leonardo Backs Rome's Plans for Vertiports with Air Traffic Management Expertise
In addition to building and equipping vertiports in Rome's city center and airports, the partners have plans for ground infrastructure in Venice and in France's Cote d'Azur region.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Australian Aviation Regulator Issues Advanced Air Mobility Roadmap
The document explains plans for supporting the introduction of new air services, including those with remotely piloted aircraft, through 2036.
FutureFlight
H3X Aims To Deliver 2.8-MW Electric Drive To Convert Airliners
The Denver-based start-up intends to launch a Series A funding round this year to support its ambitious plans to overtake major aircraft engine makers in power output and system redundancy.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Invests in Electrolyzer To Produce Hydrogen Aviation Fuel
The aircraft engine maker says it sees hydrogen as "the fuel of the future" and wants to be involved in its production as part of longer-term plans to move aviation away from fossil-fuel dependence.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Proposes New Rules for eVTOL Air Taxi Operations in European Cities
The European air safety agency opened a public consultation on draft rules that it says are the first of their kind in the world.
Aircraft
Start-up Promises All-electric Propulsion For 100-Seater Airliners
H3X is working on a 2.8 MW electric motor drive that it says will have the power density and redundancy needed to convert 50- to 100-seat aircraft.
FutureFlight
China's Agricultural Bank Backs EHang with $149 Million Credit Line
The Agricultural Bank of China is the country's third-largest lender and one the world's 10 largest commercial banks.
FutureFlight
Astronics Will Provide Power Distribution Systems for Lilium Jet
Lilium's selection of power, lighting, and connectivity specialist Astronics is the latest in a string of key supplier announcements for the company's new eVTOL aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Heli-One's Poland MRO Facility Gets CAMO Clearance
Approval for Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) allows a company to support an aircraft through its complete lifecycle.
Avionics
Elliott's Atlanta MRO Becomes Authorized Garmin Dealer
The company's facility at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport will offer a wider array of Garmin's avionics systems, including complete flight deck retrofit packages.
Airports
Munich Airport, Airbus To Help Cities Start eVTOL Ops
Munich Airport and Airbus are partnering to help cities and regions develop infrastructure to support advanced air mobility (AAM) services using eVTOLs.
Regulations and Government
Brexit Trade Row Puts UK Aerospace Sector Under Pressure
Trade group ADS is concerned that the UK government's breach of its Brexit trade agreement with the European Union could expose its members to new risks.
FutureFlight
Ultralight eVTOL Aircraft Prepares for Multiple Agricultural and Rural Support Roles
Ryse says its $150,000 Recon eVTOL aircraft will offer a carbon-neutral, time-saving alternative to all-terrain vehicles currently used for multiple roles on farms and vineyards and at parks.
FutureFlight
Amazon Makes Second Investment in Beta, Following Alia eVTOL Test Flight
Beta Technologies has been conducting multiple test flights with its Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, which can carry passengers or freight.
FutureFlight
Tier 1 Achieves First Flight With Electrified Robinson R44 Helicopter
The company is using an electric propulsion system from MagniX, which is also converting several fixed-wing aircraft, as well as the new Eviation Alice model.
FutureFlight
H2 Clipper Completes Simulated Wind Tunnel Tests for Airship Freighter
The U.S. company's current timeline calls for the start of test flights with a subscale prototype in 2025, followed by a full-sized airship in 2028. Both dates are a year later than the company projected in 2021.
FutureFlight
Munich Airport and Airbus To Help Cities Establish eVTOL Aircraft Operations
Airbus is developing both an eVTOL aircraft called CityAirbus NextGen and its ZeroE family of hydrogen-powered airliners.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Vertical Flight Society Confronts FAA's Unwelcome U-turn on eVTOL Type Certification
Despite efforts by the FAA and some in the industry to play down the significance of recent policy changes governing approval for new aircraft, the VFS says, the FAA has mishandled the process.
FutureFlight
Archer Resumes Test Flights with eVTOL Technology Demonstrator
The company is using a subscale version of its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to help engineers complete the final design.
FutureFlight
EHang Expands Plans for eVTOL Sightseeing Flights in China
Several tourism companies in China and Japan believe they can launch sightseeing tours using the autonomous all-electric EH216 vehicle that EHang is working to certify.
FutureFlight
Kenya Airways Steps Up Plans for African Urban Air Mobility with Eve Deal
The East African carrier's Fahari Aviation division is extending a partnership with Eve to develop urban air mobility services.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Launches Turbogenerator Program for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
The German government is funding further research and development work to advance turbogenerator technology.
