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
Airports
Nexa Teams With VFS To Support Urban Air Mobility Growth
The Vertical Flight Society has partnered with Nexa Advisors to form a new company called UAM Geomatics that will produce data on the eVTOL market.
Aircraft
Electric Aircraft Maker Bye Raises $10M for eFlyers
Bye Aerospace aims to have its two-seat eFlyer all-electric aircraft ready to enter service in 2021, followed by the four-seat eFlyer 4.
Aircraft
Toray To Provide Composites for Lilium eVTOL
Japanese carbon-fiber specialist Toray will supply lightweight materials to manufacture Lilium's five-seat, all-electric aircraft.
Safety
Iran Says Air Defense System Failings Caused PS752 Shootdown
An initial report by Iran's civil aviation organization indicated that a realignment of an air defense system outside Tehran triggered a chain of errors.
Aircraft
Electric Aircraft Symposium Set To Go Ahead Online
From July 28 to 30, the Electric Aircraft Symposium will focus on both eVTOL models and electric fixed-wing aircraft.
Engines
HyPoint Advances Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Electric Aircraft
HyPoint says it will have a 150 kW hydrogen fuel system ready to deliver for an eVTOL or electric fixed-wing aircraft by early 2022.
Charter & Fractional
KinectAir Prepares To Launch Charter, Frax Programs
Kinect Air says its AI-led platform will result in more efficient fleet utilisation for its planned per-seat charter and fractional ownership programs.
Airports
London Biggin Hill Airport Promotes Contactless Travel
The UK private aviation gateway is mitigating the risk of Covid-19 infection by minimizing contact and using protective equipment.
Aircraft
EU Simplifies Temporary Admission Process for Aircraft
A change to the European Union's customs code acknowledges establish practice allowing flight plans to suffice for declaration of entry and departure.
Regulations and Government
UK Eases Quarantine Rules for Some Countries
The delayed review of the UK's contentious quarantine policy eases requirements for 59 countries, but not for travelers from the U.S. and many others.
Aircraft
Farnborough Airshow Goes Virtual with FIA Connect
FIA Connect will feature a busy program of webinars and conferences, as well as a Meet the Buyer event and online meetings for young people.
Airlines
EU Excludes U.S. and Others From Lifting of Travel Ban
From July 1, travel from 15 countries will be permitted into the European Union, based on their performance in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aircraft
Airbus Demonstrates Autonomous Flight with ATTOL Project
An Airbus A350-1000 widebody airliner achieved fully autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landings in a series of test flights.
Aircraft
Airliner Deliveries Hit New Low as ADS Predicts Slow Recovery
The order backlog for airliners as of the end of May stood at 13,779, with relatively few cancellations recorded to date.
Airlines
Dutch Government Backs $3.8 Billion Support Package for KLM
A new credit facility and loan for KLM has been agreed almost two months after sister company Air France got state aid.
Airlines
Qantas Grounding 100 Aircraft, Retiring 747s
Facing dramatic reductions in air travel, Qantas has unveiled a $10 billion recovery plan.
Aircraft
UAM Sector Set For Tighter Finances and Consolidation
Sameer Saveni from UK industry group ADS says UAM pioneers have reached an inflection point from which a smaller number of eVTOL contenders will emerge.
Aircraft
Korean Start-up Airline Hi Air Orders Two ATR 72-500s
Hi Air, which started operations in February 2020, is doubling the size of its fleet following South Korea's emergence from Covid-19 lockdown.
Airlines
IATA Presses For Alternatives to Quarantines and Travel Bans
Travelers are as concerned about being quarantined as they are about catching the Covid virus, according to new IATA research.
Aircraft
Honeywell Flight Tests Sensors for UAM Autonomous Ops
Honeywell is working to improve the performance of sensors to support autonomous aircraft operations in challenging urban air mobility environments.
Aircraft
ZeroAvia Targets Commercial Hydrogen Aircraft Ops by 2023
ZeroAviation is set to flight test a hydrogen-powered six-seat aircraft, but says that by 2040 the technology could carry 200 people more than 3,000 nm.
FutureFlight
SkyDrive Set For First Flight of Flying Car With 100 Corporate Backers
The Japanese eVTOL developer expects to make a first public flight during the summer of 2020.
Regulations and Government
UK Bizav Steps Up Fight for Quarantine Exemption
BBGA says the UK goverment has ignored its proposals for safety measures it believes could avoid the need for a damaging quarantine.
Aircraft
HyPoint To Provide Hydrogen Fuel Cells for CityHawk eVTOL
Hydrogen fuel weighs less than jet fuel and for the CityHawk eVTOL it will deliver range of us to around 125 miles when it enters service from around 2028.
Airlines
Qantas Halts All Intl Flights As Australia Stays Closed
Australia's borders will remain closed to most international visitors through 2021, with the exception of trips to and from New Zealand.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
IATA Demands More Concessions on ATM Fees and Slot Rules
IATA says Europe's airlines have yet to see the worst of the traffic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with more jobs and heavier losses to come.
FutureFlight
Urban Aeronautics Selects HyPoint to Provide Hydrogen Fuel Cells For CityHawk VTOL
The hydrogen-powered version of the aircraft is expected to start flight testing between 2028 and 2030.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Siemens Offers UV Light as Cabin Disinfection Solution
The UV light system has been proven to kill a wide range of viruses and bacteria, and is believed to be effective against Covid-19.
Avionics
Honeywell Focuses New Unit on UAS and UAM Sectors
The new Honeywell business unit will offer avionics, power, air traffic management, and other systems for new aircraft in the UAS and UAM sectors.
Regulations and Government
UK Airlines Launch Legal Challenge to Quarantine Rules
British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair asked a court to rule on their objections to a 14-day quarantine requirement for most travelers arriving in the UK.
