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
ZeroAvia Seeks Airline For First Commercial Hydrogen Flight
Hydrogen propulsion developer and its Dutch airport partners aim to support the first commercial scheduled airline service powered by hydrogen in 2024.
FutureFlight
Hydrogen Commercial Flights Could Start Between UK and Netherlands in 2024
ZeroAvia is working with Rotterdam The Hague Airport and the Royal Schiphol Group to prepare for hydrogen-powered flights to London in 19-seat aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Updated Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index Reflects New Funding for eVTOL Programs
Lilium, Archer, and Airbus all improved their standing in SMG Consulting's latest monthly rating of the viability of new aircraft developments.
FutureFlight
Ferrovial Launches Plan for UK Vertiport Network with Vertical Aerospace
The partnership with Ferrovial was announced after the eVTOL aircraft developer raised a further $205 million from new backers.
FutureFlight
NASA Invests in Further R&D For More Efficient Airliner Engines
GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney will both work on new engine cores for single-aisle airliners under NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core project.
Accidents
UK Court Convicts Organizer of Illegal Charter Flight
David Henderson was found guilty of endangering safety and illegally arranging a charter flight that resulted in the death of soccer star Emiliano Sala.
FutureFlight
Italian Officials Back Plan To Bring Urban Air Mobility to Rome
Volocopter is partnering with infrastructure group Atlantia and Aeroporti di Roma to prepare to launch an eVTOL air taxi network in the Italian capital by 2024.
FutureFlight
Skyryse Wins New Funding For FlightOS Automation Technology
Fresh backers have provided an additional $200 million to support work on technology that Skyryse says will improve general aviation safety by reducing pilot workload.
Airlines
Airlines Slam UK Government over Passenger Duty Changes
IATA director general Willie Walsh accused the UK government of hypocrisy, suggesting new passenger duties are a cash grab disguised as a green tax.
FutureFlight
Mitsubishi and Alaska Air Back ZeroAvia's Plans for Hydrogen Airliners
The Japanese group's maintenance, repair, and overhaul arm will install conversion kits based on ZeroAvia's hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, which will also be used for Alaska Air's Dash 8 fleet of twin-turboprops.
FutureFlight
Eve Starts eVTOL 'Simulation' with Helisul Helicopter Charter Flights
Trial flights in November will connect the wealthy Rio de Janeiro suburb of Barra da Tijuca with the Brazilian city's main international airport.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Toronto Stakes Its Claim to an Advanced Air Mobility Future
The Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium's white paper on the benefits of the new mode of transportation for the Greater Toronto area has been welcomed by regional investment agency Toronto Global.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi and Alaska Air Back Plans For Hydrogen Airliners
Mitsubishi's MHIRJ business unit could install ZeroAvia's hydrogen conversion kits on CRJs, while Alaska Air will re-engine its Dash 8 Q400 fleet.
FutureFlight
Helipass Calls For Open Market Opportunity to Stimulate eVTOL Aircraft Growth
The flight booking platform is working to encourage helicopter charter operators to switch to new eVTOL aircraft, such as the four-passenger model being developed by Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions.
FutureFlight
London Heathrow Airport Makes Plans For eVTOL Aircraft Operations
The UK airport has been working with eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace to consider what preparations are needed to integrate the new electric vehicles with existing airline operations.
Charter & Fractional
Helipass Calls For Open Market To Stimulate eVTOL Growth
Flight-booking platform Helipass is positioning itself as a key enabler for commercial eVTOL operations.
FutureFlight
How CityAirbus NextGen Could Be Just the First Movement in an Advanced Air Mobility Symphony
The European aerospace group says its approach to the advanced air mobility sector will resemble its path to a strong presence in the mainstream air transport market, which is characterized by product families and global customer support.
FutureFlight
5G Connectivity Advances Set To Expand the Horizons for Autonomous Flight
While enhancing its software platform to support drone operations using low-altitude authorization and notification capability, Skyward is also looking to deliver enhanced autonomous flight capability by tapping 5G cellular networks.
FutureFlight
Japan Airlines Could Take Up to 100 eVTOL Aircraft as Air Taxi Plans for 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo Advance
The Japanese carrier is taking a leading role in plans to launch urban air mobility services, with agreements and partnerships in place with Vertical Aerospace and Volocopter.
Aircraft
Leasing Groups Tap Airline Interest in Electric Aircraft
Japan Airlines could take up to 100 of Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL aircraft, and Amedeo has committed to Aura Aero's 19-seat hybrid-electric commuter.
FutureFlight
Amedeo Commits to Adding 200 Electric Regional Aircraft to Its Lease Portfolio
French start-up Aura Aero is working to bring its 19-seat hybrid-electric aircraft into commercial service by 2026 and is also developing an all-electric training aircraft called the Integral E.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Vertical Aerospace and Partners Demand Strong UK Government Action To Support Electric Aviation
A new white paper published by the eVTOL aircraft developer and multiple partners says the UK government needs to do more to stimulate the launch of electric flights between British cities by 2025.
Aircraft
GKN's Global Technology Center Aims for Net Zero Carbon Goal
GKN's new UK global technology center is a hub collaboration with partners on new aerospace technologies, including new manufacturing techniques.
FutureFlight
Avantto Says Its Operational Experience Makes Embraer's eVTOL Plans More Credible
The Brazilian business jet and helicopter operator expects to introduce 100 of Eve's all-electric eVTOL aircraft to its fleet, starting in 2026.
FutureFlight
Air One eVTOL Lures Owner-Flown Customers with 'Fly by Intent" Simplicity
The Air One's developer is channeling cost- and weight-saving techniques from the automotive world in a bid to transform the economics of private aviation and expand the market for eVTOL personal transportation.
FutureFlight
VoloDrone Will Operate Remotely and Flexibly Using Purpose-built Trailer
The Mobile Vertipad is like a standard transport trailer that can quickly convert into a mobile takeoff and landing base for Volocopter's cargo-carrying, autonomous eVTOL.
FutureFlight
Plug Power Invests in a Hydrogen-Powered Version of Airflow's eSTOL Aircraft
The hydrogen propulsion and fuel specialist will support Airflow in the development of an alternative to the hybrid-electric powertrain already in development for its eSTOL models.
FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Raises a Further $62 Million To Support Airliner Conversion Plan
The company aims to make a first flight with a hydrogen-powered 40-seat regional airliner in 2022, as part of its effort to certify its propulsion system for commercial use by 2025.
FutureFlight
Reliable Robotics Gets $100 Million Funding Boost for Remotely Piloted Technology
The autonomous flight technology pioneer is working to certify aircraft to be remotely piloted in commercial cargo operations, which it says could be more cost-effectively expanded to relatively remote communities.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Offers G280 Cabin and Flight Deck Upgrades
Improved cabin air and technology to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety are among new features now available for the super-midsize G280.
