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

Charles Alcock

A Boeing 787 airliner is set to begin flight trials later this month as part of the airframer’s ecoDemonstrator campaign to reduce fuel burn and noise. Along with partners Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa, Boeing announced the plan for its new flying test bed on Thursday.
The modified Dreamliner, which will fly from Boeing’s facility in Glasgow, Montana, has been fitted with a shorter engine inlet demonstrator featuring advanced acoustic treatments. According to the manufacturer, the new design will support the integration of more fuel-efficient engines on next generation aircraft, as well as reducing weight and drag while maintaining acoustic performance.
The new round of ecoDemonstrator flight trials will also evaluate modified departure and arrival procedures, including what Boeing described as “intelligent operations” flight paths intended to reduce noise levels in communities close to airports. These flight paths are generated using algorithms based on multiple data sources to identify opportunities for fuel-efficiency and noise mitigation.
The Boeing 787-9 will serve as the ecoDemonstrator test bed for 2026 with the latest set of flight trials expected to run through mid-August. The aircraft, which will be delivered to German flagcarrier Lufthansa, is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
<h2>FAA CLEEN Support</h2>
The technology being tested are part of Phase III of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy Emissions and Noise program. Julie Marks, executive director of the U.S. agency’s Office of Environment and Energy, said the latest round of tests “demonstrate how the public partnership of the CLEEN program supports the development and integration of advanced technologies into current and future aircraft.”
Boeing launched the ecoDemonstrator program in 2012 in order to evaluate technology developed in laboratory conditions in a real-world operational environment. So far, the program has tested more than 260 technologies aimed at improving safety, as well as reducing fuel burn, carbon dioxide emissions and noise.
“The more efficient inlet and Intelligent Operations flight paths we’re evaluating on this year’s ecoDemonstrator Explorer are among the most promising concepts we’re working on,” said Boeing chief technology officer Lane Ballard. “These enhancements have the potential to make our airplanes even more valuable to our partners, including customers like Lufthansa and suppliers like Rolls-Royce.”
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