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
Joby Charts Its Timeline for eVTOL Type Certification and Service Launch
Type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL should begin in earnest in 2022 when the FAA confirms the means of compliance, allowing full testing of all systems and components and the complete prototype.
FBOs
Jetex, Eve Partnering on eVTOL Ecosystem
Business aviation support group Jetex is joining a list of prospective partners working with Embraer Eve to prepare the ecosystem to support eVTOL ops.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight Lands $100 Million Investment in V1500M Passenger eVTOL Vehicle
German technology investment group Team Global led a Series A funding round that will support the Chinese start-up's efforts to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Claims World Speed Record for Electric Spirit of Innovation Flight
Working with battery developer Electroflight and motor and controller maker Yasa, the aero engines group converted an NXT Next kitplane to achieve speeds matching the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft.
FutureFlight
Thales and Diehl Sign Up as CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Program Partners
The avionics groups will jointly provide flight control computers for the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft that Airbus aims to bring to market in 2025.
FutureFlight
Marry Tesla to Uber and You Get eVTOL Transportation as a Service, Say UAM Pioneers
Senior executives from eVTOL aircraft developers Joby and Archer, and also would-be early urban air mobility adopter United Airlines, shared their vision in a Northwestern University webinar.
FutureFlight
Former Bombardier President Fred Cromer Joins Flight Autonomy Pioneer
Cromer also ran airliner leasing group ILFC and served as CFO with regional airlines Continental Express and Express Jet.
FutureFlight
Eve Rebrands eVTOL Aircraft in the Image of Racing Legend Senna
The subsidiary of Brazilian aerospace group Embraer is partnering with the branding organization formed by the country's Formula One car racing legend Ayrton Senna.
FutureFlight
Lilium Sees Rising Costs as eVTOL Development Work Accelerates
In 2022, Lilium will relocate flight testing of its fifth-generation technology demonstrator from Germany to Spain where better weather will allow it to expand the flight envelope.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Balance Sheets Don't Lie as First of the eVTOL SPAC Pack Post Quarterly Earnings
As it continues on the long and winding path to revenue generation with its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, Joby's cash batteries appear to be well charged.
Aircraft
Indian Start-up Akasa Builds Boeing Fleet With $9 Billion Deal
India's Akasa Air ordered 72 Boeing 737 Max-8 narrowbodies to start services in 2022, as Air Tanzania expands fleet with a mix of 787, 767, and 737 Maxes.
Aircraft
Afrijet Orders ATR 72-600s with Fuel Efficient Pratt Engines
The Gabon-based carrier is replacing some of its smaller ATR 72-500s, as Japan's Toki Air considers investment in new short takeoff and landing ATR42s.
Aircraft
Jazeera and Ibom Air Boost Airbus With $2.2 Billion Deals
Jazeera Airways, Ibom Air, and Air Tanzania dominated the commercial airliner sales news from day three of the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Aircraft
Political Heat is Driving the Sustainability Beat, Says Raytheon
Raytheon's engines, aircraft systems, and defense divisions are leveraging multiple technologies to reduce their customers' environmental impact.
FutureFlight
Charter Group Plans To Bring Electric Propulsion to Latin America
Brazil-based on-demand flight booking service Flapper has committed to convert up to 20 Cessna Grand Caravans to run on MagniX's electric propulsion system from 2024.
FutureFlight
Counting the Cost of Urban Air Mobility Flights
Will eVTOL air taxi services really be able to deliver the promised on-demand flights affordable across income groups, or will this be another perk for high-net-worth individuals?
FutureFlight
Flight Training for eVTOL Aircraft Crew Set To Start Under Existing Commercial Rules
Operators of eVTOL air taxi services need to recruit and train pilots to support services that they say will rapidly scale up, but regulators aren't ready to cut any corners on safety.
Aircraft
Embraer Lengthens Maintenance Intervals for Business Jets
Lineage and Legacy operators will benefit from improved aircraft availability and reduced maintenance costs based on analysis of in-service performance.
Airlines
Flyadeal Signs for GE's TrueChoice Engine Overhaul Coverage
Low-cost carrier Flyadeal will have CFM56-5B engines for its A320 fleet overhauled by Caerdav under a TrueChoice support agreement with GE Aviation.
Engines
Middle East Carriers Now Have Local Option For APU Maintenance
Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries has been appointed an authorized service center for Honeywell's 131-9 auxiliary power units for 737 NGs and A320s.
Charter & Fractional
Mena Revamps Bizav Activities with European Partner
Bahrain-based Mena Aerospace Enterprises will stay active in handling, aircraft supervision, and charter via an alliance with Switzerland-based Sparfell.
Avionics
BAE Showcases Latest Rockets, Displays and Receivers
The UK-based defense technology group is displaying its diverse capability in the U.S. Pavilion at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Aircraft
Airbus Offers First Glimpse At ACJ TwoTwenty and ACJ320neo
Airbus Corporate Jets says the VIP versions of its A320 and A220 single-aisle airliners offer more space for the same price as large-cabin business jets.
FutureFlight
Pipistrel To Supply Electric Propulsion for Airflow's eSTOL Proof-of-Concept Aircraft
The Slovenian electric aviation pioneer makes the world's first type certificated all-electric aircraft and is developing a family of 19-passenger regional aircraft called the Miniliner.
Accidents
Aircraft Manager Jailed for Illegal UK Charter Flight
David Henderson was jailed for 18 months for arranging the January 2019 flight in which soccer star Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.
Environment
Electric Aircraft Pioneer Calls For Carbon Tax On Aircraft Fuel
Most of the aviation industry expects to meet its net zero carbon goals through a mix of new technology and widespread use of sustainable aviation fuels.
FutureFlight
Archer Moves Maker eVTOL Demonstrator to Flight Test Site
The California company, which says it expects the first hover flight of the two-seat vehicle to happen during December, reported its first set of quarterly earnings since its initial public offering in September.
FutureFlight
Universal Avionics to Supply Vision Systems for CityHawk eVTOL Aircraft
Urban Aeronautics is completing a Series A funding round to support efforts to bring its redesigned hydrogen-electric eVTOL vehicle to market.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Flies 2X eVTOL at South Korean Urban Air Mobility Event
The 2X is a pre-series version of the two-seat, all-electric VoloCity vehicle that the German company intends to bring into commercial service in 2023.
FutureFlight
Hyundai Relaunches Urban Air Mobility Division as Supernal
The U.S.-based subsidiary is one of 50 business units of the South Korean automotive group working to advance Hyundai's ambitions to be an intermodal transportation solutions provider.
