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
Airlines
Cambodian Airline Will Connect Coastal Towns with Elfly’s Noemi
Start-up has committed to buy five of the nine-passenger electric amphibious aircraft
Aircraft
ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft
Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions
Aircraft
DARPA Selects Bell for Next Phase of HSVTOL Development
Helicopter manufacturer will build an X-plane for Phase 2 of Pentagon’s SPRINT program
Engines
King Air Operator Plans Hybrid-electric Conversion with Dovetail
Zeusch Aviation flies medical, surveillance, mapping, and broadcast missions
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Progresses London Biggin Hill Paint Facility
New two-bay hangar is expected to open in the second half of 2026
Charter & Fractional
Railway Companies Back SkyDrive’s Plans for eVTOL Air Taxis
Flight networks could connect train stations with other parts of Japanese cities
Engines
Ascendance Steps Up Assembly of Atea Hybrid-electric VTOL Prototype
French company is now offering Sterna propulsion system to other aircraft developers
Aircraft
Air One eVTOL Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles
Early use cases include logistics operations with expanded cargo volume
ATC
French Controllers Strike Disrupts Traffic at Multiple Airports
Aviation safety agency ordered cancellation of at least 40% of flights
Aircraft
VoltAero Finds Backers for Malaysian Production of Cassio Aircraft
SEDC Energy and ACI Groupe plan to take equity stakes in the French start-up
Engines
U.S. Army Tasks Electra with Assessing Hybrid-electric Propulsion
Electra Aero has now won seven Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from the Army
FBOs
UAS Provides Trip Support for Hajj Pilgrimage Flights
Gulf-based company helped operators of more than 2,000 aircraft flying into Saudi Arabia
Aircraft
Eve Signs Agreement with eVTOL Air Taxi Partners in Costa Rica
Deal signed in the same week EHang sells 50 autonomous eVTOLs to a Chinese customer
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Trade Deal Means UK Aerospace Avoids U.S. Sanctions
Some major trading partners across the EU and Canada still face high tariffs
Aircraft
Mystery Customer Buying Up to 120 Global, Challenger Jets
Undisclosed business jet buyer has yet to announce service offering
Aircraft
Decision on EBACE Show’s Future Deferred until Late July
Interim managing director Stefan Benz will take more time to consider long-term options
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Air Force Evaluates MightyFly’s Cento Cargo Drone
Aircraft features patented Autonomous Load Mastering System
Regulations and Government
EASA Signs Contract with Elfly for Noemi Electric Seaplane Prototype
Norwegian start-up aims to start flight testing electric seaplane in 2027
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Backs Electra's EL9 Ultra-Short Aircraft
Partnership will explore opportunities to be involved in U.S. defense programs
Aircraft
Deutsche Aircraft Names Key Suppliers For D328eco Airliner
Aernnova will provide the D328eco's empennage and Garmin is supplying its avionics suite
Training and Workforce
Malaysian Flight School Orders VoltAero's Cassio 330
HM Aerospace could take up to 30 of the aircraft to train pilots
Charter & Fractional
ASL Will Be Launch Customer for Vaeridion’s Microliner
Vaeridion says all-electric Microliner will be certified in 2030
Aircraft
U.S. eVTOL Pioneers Warn against Parochial Approach
Industry leaders addressed a roundtable discussion organized by the state of Ohio
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
France Contracts Daher and Thales To Develop MALE Drone
A demonstrator is expected to be available for flight testing no later than the end of 2026
Aircraft
Embraer Scores Airliner and Military Deals
Skywest’s $3.6 billion deal could include up to 110 E-175s
Aircraft
Wisk Adds eVTOL Partnerships in Florida and Japan
Boeing subsidiary is preparing to start flight testing Generation 6 aircraft
Engines
French Partners Plan Hybrid-electric Genav Aircraft
Daher, Safran, Collins, and Ascendance announce alliance in Paris
Engines
MagniX Offers Increased Energy Density Battery Cells
Batteries will have an energy density of 400 Watt hours per kilograms
Airlines
Vietjet Boosts Narrowbody Fleet with A321neo Order
Vietnamese carrier also recently ordered more A330neos
Aircraft
Leonardo and Bombardier Join Forces on Maritime Aircraft
Global 6500 could be fitted with Leonardo's ATOS
