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
FutureFlight
Aerospace Veteran GKN Seeks to Stretch Itself with a Future in Advanced Air Mobility
The UK-based group recently announced it is taking leadership roles in four new programs, including an eVTOL aircraft project and a hydrogen propulsion system.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EHang Pushes Back Against Wolfpack's Claims That It Has Misled the Market on Aircraft Sales and More
A report by short-selling advocate Wolfpack Research accuses the Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer of deception over reported sales and the status of efforts to complete type certification and approval for its products.
Charter & Fractional
Scottish Operator Latest To Exit Brexit with EU AOC
Air Charter Scotland set up an air operators' certificate in EU member state Malta and has moved two aircraft out of the UK to avoid Brexit restrictions.
FutureFlight
French Government Backs Zéphyr Hydrogen Propulsion Project with Covid Grant
Avions Mauboussin will receive almost $1 million to advance research and development for a system that will power its planned eSTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
More eVTOL Developers Added to AAM Reality Index as SMG Adjusts Ratings
Consulting group SMG has promised periodic updates to its process for rating eVTOL aircraft developers as more information about progress, or the lack thereof, becomes available.
FutureFlight
Israeli VTOL Aircraft Developer Turns to United Arab Emirates for Partnership
Talks with partners in the United Arab Emirates were disclosed in a letter to prospective investors in United Aeronautics, which is developing the CityHawk eVTOL.
Aircraft
Data Reveals the Dominant Role of the 747 Freighter in 2020
Data from Spire Aviation's satellite constellation shows how Boeing's 747F far outstripped other large freighters while Covid gripped air transport.
FutureFlight
Airbus E-Fan Alumni Chart a New Course with Atea eVTOL Aircraft
Ascendance Flight Technologies is one of 30 partners chosen to develop plans for an air taxi network serving Paris that will start with development tests in 2021.
Aircraft
Electric Miniliner Concept Could Connect Smaller Communities
Slovenian electric aircraft pioneer Pipistrel is working on plans for a 20-seat regional airliner that would need no more than 3,280 feet of runway.
FutureFlight
Commander Software Simplifies the Task of Managing Battery Recharging
The new system generates data on how well batteries are holding their charge and identifies ones that are not recharging correctly.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Tasks Jaunt and BAE to Find Extreme Fast Charging Solution
Under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory, the partners, along with New York's Binghamton University, will seek to develop a way to support commercial operations of electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
Vertical Turns to Solvay to Provide Composite Structures for the VA-1X
The Belgian company will help Vertical Aerospace build a full-scale prototype of its eVTOL aircraft in time to make a first flight in September.
FutureFlight
Pipistrel Unveils Plans for 20-Seat Electric Miniliner to Connect Small Communities
The Slovenian electric aircraft pioneer is aiming to get the design into commercial service between 2028 and 2030.
FutureFlight
Airbus, Airlines and Airports Want Help Creating Hydrogen Hubs In Paris
Companies with expertise in hydrogen infrastructure have been invited to express interest in support plans to prepare Parisian airports to support hydrogen-powered aircraft.
FutureFlight
Archer Prepares for Takeoff with $1.1 Billion SPAC Flotation and Provisional Launch Order from United Airlines
The merger with a special purpose acquisition company called Atlas Crest Investment Corp. is expected to be closed during the second quarter of 2021.
Aircraft
United Unveils Plans for eVTOL Aircraft Airport Shuttle Rides
United Airlines and its partner Mesa Airlines have provisionally agreed to buy up to 200 of Archer Aviation's four-passenger, all-electric eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Ferrovial Seeks European Funding For Spanish Vertiport Network
The company's urban air mobility infrastructure plans for Spain appear unconnected to the air taxi flight trials that air navigation agency Enaire intends to conduct in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela in 2022.
FutureFlight
Joby Aviation Boosted by First Revenues from USAF Agility Prime Role
The eVTOL aircraft developer also confirmed that the FAA has cleared it to use the G1 airworthiness requirements to complete type certification under Part 23 Amendment 64 rules, clearing its path to commercial service.
FutureFlight
Turin Offers Site For Advanced Air Mobility Development Hub
The SkyGate will be at the northern Italian city's Torino Aeritalia Airport on the premises of the historic AeroClub Torino.
FutureFlight
Russia's Hover Confirms Flight Testing of Two-seat eVTOL Air Taxi
Hover is one of many technology startups based at the Skolkovo Innovation Center near Moscow.
FutureFlight
Next Phase of SESAR's Gulf of Finland Airspace Integration Project Starts
The Gulf of Finland 2.0 Integrated Urban Airspace Validation builds on 2019 flight trials for SESAR's U-Space program.
FutureFlight
New Connection Technology Keeps Electric Aircraft Ahead of the Power Curve
Current standards for components like cables don't take account of much higher voltages and the aviation industry is having to urgently address this change.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Backs Jaunt-led Study on Thermoplastics and Manufacturing
The Air Force's AFWERX program wants to accelerate service entry for advanced air mobility aircraft that could be used in military missions.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Are Air Taxis Ready For Prime Time? Let's Ask Lufthansa
A new market study from the German flagcarrier casts a dispassionate eye on the prospects for the much-vaunted urban air mobility sector.
FutureFlight On The Radar
New Vista Acquisition SPAC Seeks $200 Million Investment Pot for Advanced Air Mobility
Special-purpose acquisition companies appear to be at the forefront of the next investment wave for the sector as cash-hungry startups crave more capital.
FutureFlight
UK Launches Two Projects to Prepare for Commercial eVTOL Aircraft Services
Both have received funding from the UK government's Future Flight Challenge initiative to promote new, reduced-carbon modes of air transporation.
FutureFlight
New Industry Standards Could Ease Type Certification Complexity for eVTOL Aircraft
The volunteer committees of groups such as SAE International, ASTM, and Eurocae are establishing standards that plug gaps in how regulators can certify aircraft.
FutureFlight
GKN To Explore the Case for a Large eVTOL Aircraft Called Skybus
GKN and 15 partners are being supported by a new £4.5 million grant from the UK government's Future Flight Challenge Fund.
FutureFlight
Bell's APT70 Cargo Drone Conducts Flight Trials at AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone
The rotorcraft manufacturer has yet to detail its plans to bring the freight-carrying unmanned aircraft into commercial service.
FutureFlight
NASA Outlines Its National Campaign with Test Flights to Start in April
Joby Aviation and Wisk are among the vehicle partners supporting the U.S. agency's Advanced Air Mobility program
