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
Maintenance and Modifications
Marshall Trains New Talent for UK Aircraft Support Roles
Marshall Skills Academy is about to start training 70 apprentices for its own MRO business, as well as for Bombardier's UK service center at Biggin Hill.
FutureFlight
Honeywell Publishes Advanced Air Mobility Certification Guidance and Backs New Green Seaplane
This week, the aerospace group, which produces propulsion and avionics systems, agreed to help Swiss start-up Jekta to develop its planned electric amphibious aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
JetMembership Tempts Rivals' Clients With Cost Savings
The flight booking platform is targeting customers with private aviation programs including WheelsUp, NetJets, XO, VistaJet, Flexjet, and Sentient Jet.
Environment
Vertical Vx4 eVTOL Certification Pushed To Late 2026
Citing regulatory requirements, Vertical Aerospace pushed certification of its VX-4 eVTOL by 12 months to late 2026.
FutureFlight On The Radar
EASA Consults on Proposals to Regulate Noise From eVTOL Aircraft
The European aviation safety agency is giving stakeholders until June 15 to respond to its Environmental Protection Technical Specifications.
FutureFlight
Vertical Pushes Back Type Certification Target Date for VX4 eVTOL Aircraft to Late 2026
A letter to shareholders says technical issues relating to the certification process are the main reason for the delay, but the company's first-quarter balance sheet shows depleted cash reserves.
FutureFlight
Cormorant Evaluates Wood as the Basis for a More Environmentally Sustainable Seaplane
Sitka spruce trees growing in coastal areas of western Canada could be used to make substantial parts of the wings and airframe for a new amphibious aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pilots To Picket Berkshire Hathaway Meeting
NetJets pilot union organized a picket of the annual shareholders meeting of NetJets's parent company Berkshire Hathaway to protest pay and conditions.
FutureFlight
Car Designers Are Defining the Look and Feel of eVTOL Aircraft
Supernal has received international recognition for the design of the cabin for its SA-1 eVTOL vehicle.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Operators Need To Be Up to Speed on European Inspection Rules
The NBAA recently participated in a forum on ramp inspections that addressed the latest changes to Europe's Safety Assessments of Foreign Aircraft process.
FutureFlight
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
A summary of significant milestones and achievements from companies and organizations working to transform aviation with new types of aircraft, propulsion systems, flight controls, and business models.
FutureFlight
Lilium Seeks $250 Million To Sustain Work on eVTOL Aircraft as Share Price Hovers below Minimum
The German company says it already has a commitment for $100 million from an existing investor that is also willing to provide a further $75 million in matching funds.
Engines
PC-12 Fleet Passes 10 Million Flight Hour Waypoint
Pilatus is boosting production of the single-engine turboprop as it targets its 2,000th delivery with the PC-12 NGX model.
FutureFlight
Alaska Airlines Donates Dash 8 Aircraft for ZeroAvia's Hydrogen Propulsion Project
The former Horizon Air regional airliner will be fitted with ZeroAvia's ZA2000 powertrain, which combines fuel cells with electric motors to run on liquid hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Advanced Air Mobility Evangelists Get Reality Check at Revolution.Aero Conference
Industry experts explained how multiple factors—including tightening capital markets and regulatory complexity—point to a more gradual fulfillment of the potential for new electric aircraft.
Aircraft
Mexico's Redwings Plans eVTOL Air-taxi Services
Mexican business aviation group Redwings has signed a letter of intent with Jaunt Air Mobility to buy up to 20 of its Journey eVTOL aircraft.
Safety
TAG To Run Ground Schools for Dassault Falcon Pilots
After completing flight simulator training with CAE in the UK, pilots will go to TAG Global Training's Farnborough Airport facility for more instruction.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Deliveries, Demand Remain Stable
Textron Aviation acknowledged some continuing impact from supply-chain issues and that revenues will improve at helicopter division Bell.
Airlines
Worsening War Risks Could Push Insurance Premiums Higher
The conflict in Sudan is adding to the pressure and uncertainty for airlines and their insurers resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
FutureFlight
Solvay and GKN Step Up Work on Thermoplastic Materials and Manufacturing Processes
The partners want to be able to support high-volume manufacturing of electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
Czech Start-up Zuri Seeks Funding For Hybrid-Electric Regional VTOL Aircraft
The company displayed models of its five-seat design at this week's Sustainable Skies and Aero Friedrichshafen events.
FutureFlight
Hybrid Air Vehicles Plans to Build Airlander Hybrid-Electric Airship in Northern England
The UK company has already conducted some test flights with the large airship at its Bedford facility in southern England.
Aircraft
Limited Edition SR Series Cirrus Marks 9,000th Delivery
Cirrus unveiled a special version of its piston single aircraft with four exterior paintwork options and limited edition cabin interior features.
Aircraft
Czech Startup Seeks Funding for Hybrid-electric VTOL
Zuri aims to raise an initial €15 million to accelerate work on its planned five-seat vehicle, which it says could support regional routes up to 380 nm.
Aircraft
Textron's European Service Centers Mark 10th Anniversary
The Zurich and Düsseldorf facilities acquired from Jet Aviation in 2013 are part of a support network that Textron has expanded in recent years.
Engines
Austrian Partners Start Work on Hydrogen Piston Engine
A partnership between Diamond Aircraft and the Austrian government is developing options to power general aviation aircraft with liquid hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Japanese Engineering Group Taiho Orders SkyDrive's SD-05 eVTOL Aircraft
The memorandum of understanding for the provisional sale was signed a week after SkyDrive started taking orders from private individuals for its two-seat eVTOL vehicle.
Avionics
Skyryse Promises Affordable Automated IFR for General Aviation
The FAA recently determined that the FlightOS systems meets its means-of-compliance requirements, clearing a path to retrofit existing aircraft cockpits.
Airlines
Sustainable Aviation Group Demands More Government Support
At the Sustainable Skies event in the UK, industry leaders called for more investment and urgent action to meet the net zero carbon goal by 2050.
Aircraft
SkyDrive Signs First Preorder for Private-use eVTOL
SkyDrive opened the order book to private individual customers for its SD-05 two-seat eVTOL, and Drone Fund director Kotaro Chiba was the first to order.
