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
Aircraft
Air Baltic A220 Flight Diverts After Latest PW1500G Shutdown
The captain of an Air Baltic A220 narrowbody shut down the left PW1500G engine before diverting to Bordeaux on a fight from Riga to Malaga.
Aircraft
Airbus Restarts A320 Assembly in China as Virus Hits Airlines
Airbus is gradually resuming A320 assembly work at its factory in China, but the scale of disruption to the aerospace supply chain remains uncertain.
FutureFlight
New Flirtey Patent Covers Error Detection Capability to Trigger Drone Safety Mechanism
Drone delivery specialist Flirtey now has 25 granted and pending patents covering technology for unmanned aerial systems.
FutureFlight
Bell Teams With Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation on Air Mobility Project
Japan Airlines and conglomerate Sumitomo are to jointly explore so-called Mobility-as-a-Service concepts.
FutureFlight
Bell Unveils Redesigned Nexus 4EX eVTOL Design As Part of Revamped Urban Air Mobility Program
The new Nexus design is for an all-electric aircraft with four tilting ducted fans.
Aircraft
Bell Partners With Japan Airlines and Sumitomo on Air Mobility
A memorandum of understanding between Bell, Japan Airlines and Sumitomo covers work to developing an ecosystem for urban air mobility services.
Airlines
Sichuan Airlines' New A350s Will Feature Thales's Core IFE
Thales will install its latest Core IFE inflight entertainment systems on Sichuan Airlines' A350s, which are due to enter service at the end of 2021.
FutureFlight
Drones Enlisted to Support Medical Teams in China's Battle Against the Coronavirus
The use of unmanned aircraft could boost public's perception of their value to society.
FutureFlight
New European Trade Show Embraces eVTOL Aircraft
The new European Rotors show will focus on eVTOL aircraft and urban air mobility in addition to the existing helicopter industry.
Airlines
Aviation Industry Braces for Full Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak
The Coronavirus outbreak has already resulted in a steep dip in airline traffic in China and disruption to the aerospace supply chain.
Avionics
Emergency Locator Transmitter Confirms Signal Received
Orolia's new Kannad Ultima-S ELT system is compatible with Galileo's satellite network and confirms receipt of distress signals.
Aircraft
Asia-Pacific Stakes Claim to Place in Urban Air Mobility Revolution
Several Asia-Pacific companies are making big investments in urban air mobility technology and the region's cities may be early adopters of eVTOL aircraft.
Aircraft
Airbus On Track for E-Fan X Hybrid-Electric Flight in 2021
Airbus recently completed wind tunnel tests on a scale model of the E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator aircraft, based on the BAe 146 RJ100.
Safety
UAV Manufacturer and Training School Work Together on Operating Standards
Rotary UAV maker UMS Skeldar is working with the Swedish Aviation Technical Training School to develop standards needed to meet anticipated new EASA rules.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi Confirms Sixth Delay to SpaceJet Certification
Mitsubishi will not now be ready to begin deliveries of its M90 regional jet in 2020. It has yet to confirm a new target date.
Aircraft
Older Aircraft Can Be Upcycled To Train Flight Crews
Euramec is giving a new lease on life for older A320 airframes by having them recycled into training equipment for pilots and flight attendants.
Aircraft
Airbus Suspends A320 Assembly in China Due to Coronavirus
Along with Boeing and Safran, Airbus has acknowledged that measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in China have disrupted work.
FutureFlight
Vertical Completes Winged eVTOL Design, Seeks New Funding
Vertical is switching to a wing-based design that will deliver greater range and speed for its eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
EASA Consults Industry on Special Condition Rules for Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Systems
New Special Condition rules will establish a framework for certifying propulsion systems for eVTOL aircraft
FutureFlight
New Zealand Approves Passenger Flight Trials for Wisk's Cora eVTOL Aircraft
Passenger-carrying flight trials will start when Cora completes type certification in New Zealand.
Aircraft
New Zealand Ok's Cora eVTOL Passenger Flight Trials
The New Zealand government has given its support to passenger-carrying flight trials with Wisk's Cora eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
Ambitious eVTOL Startups Eye GoFly Fly Off’s Million-Dollar Prize
The GoFly competition Final Fly Off will be held on February 29 at NASA's Ames Research Center
Aircraft
Vertical Completes Winged eVTOL Design, Seeks Funding
UK start-up Vertical Aerospace has launched a fund-raising campaign to support its work on a winged eVTOL aircraft set to fly later in 2020.
Engines
EASA Proposes Conditions for Electric/Hybrid Propulsion
EASA is looking for industry comments on its proposed Special Condition rules for electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
Maintenance and Modifications
Low-Cost, Flexible Foresight Mx HUMS Expands Applications
GPMS says its Foresight Mx HUMS technology works well for light helicopters and new electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Oil Companies Invest in HeliOffshore's Safety Programs
Helicopter operators' oil company customers are contributing funds to support safety work being coordinated by HeliOffshore.
FutureFlight
Fire Damages Eviation's First Alice Prototype During Ground Testing
The fire on the Alice electric aircraft is believed to have started due to a fault in a ground-based power system.
Aircraft
EASA Set To Publish Accepted Means of Compliance Proposals for eVTOL Certification
EASA proposals for accepted means of compliance will advance plans for rules under which new eVTOL aircraft will achieve type certification.
Aircraft
Eviation's Electric Alice Aircraft Catches Fire During Ground Tests
The extent of damage from the fire on Eviation's Alice electric aircraft is not yet known, or how the incident may delay planned flight testing.
Regulations and Government
EASA and EHA Partner To Launch New European Rotors Show
The new European Rotors show will launch in Cologne, Germany, in November 2020, and will include all vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
