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
Charter & Fractional
Charter App Ascent Expands Helo Service to Thailand
Ascent has partnered with Thai helicopter operators SRS Aviation and Advance Aviation to offer on demand helicopter charter in several locations.
Aircraft
EASA Awards First Electric Aircraft TC to Pipistrel
EASA this week completed what it says is the world's first type certification for a fully electric aircraft, indicating it will pave the way for others.
Aircraft
Wisk Resumes Cora eVTOL Test Flights after Covid Halt
The four Cora eVTOL prototypes have logged more than 1,300 flight test hours at development sites in New Zealand and California.
Aircraft
Airflow Launches eSTOL Electric Cargo Aircraft
Former members of Airbus's Vahana eVTOL development team now believe that electric short takeoff and landing aircraft could be more cost effective.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
France Unveils €15 Billion Aid Package For Aviation Industry
Government funding includes existing support for Air France, plus a further €8 billion for various aspects of the aerospace sector.
Regulations and Government
Bizav Traffic into the UK Spikes Ahead of Quarantine, Then Falls
WingX data shows a sharp increase in business aircraft movements into the UK as travelers rushed to avoid new quarantine rules that took effect on June 8.
Airlines
British Airways Challenges UK Government Over Quarantine
British Airways is suing the UK government after refusing to participate in a meeting with the UK Home Secretary to discuss new quarantine rules.
Regulations and Government
UK Business Aviation Fails To Win Quarantine Exemption
The UK aviation industry fears that already low traffic levels will collapse when the quarantine is enforced from June 8.
Airlines
UK Government Refuses To Act on Layoffs after Airline Bailouts
UK aviation minister says government cannot act to stop layoffs at BA and EasyJet and will not extend further support to the country's aviation industry.
Regulations and Government
UK Ignores Industry Pleas and Confirms Quarantine Rules
Almost all travelers arriving in the UK from June 8 will be required to register for a 14-day quarantine at a fixed address.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MySky Spend Management Platform Expands to Americas Market
MySky's founders say that artificial intelligence can deliver financial transparency to private aviation, which is wasting 20 percent of its cost base.
Aircraft
Electric-powered Grand Caravan Makes 30-minute First Flight
Magnix is partnering with AeroTec to re-engine the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan single turboprop with an electric propulsion system.
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Group Protests Against UK Quarantine Rules
The Air Charter Association says the UK's quarantine rules will make it impossible for customers to make short visits to the country, harming business.
Aircraft
EHang's 216 eVTOL Cleared for Supply Flights in China
EHang is using its 216 autonomous eVTOL aircraft to carry freight for a hotel operator in southern China with approval from the CAAC.
Aircraft
Lilium Hopes To Resume eVTOL Flight Testing in Coming Months
The German company says it is still on track to start operating its five-seat all-electric aircraft in air taxi operations from 2025.
Aircraft
EASA Proposes eVTOL Certification Means of Compliance
EASA's Special Condition VTOL certification requirements include an Enhanced category for commercial operations in urban environments.
Airlines
UK Imposes Quarantine on Most Arrivals from June 8
Airline group says UK's mandatory 14-day quarantine rule will suppress almost all travel in and out of the country, effectively grounding UK airlines.
Aircraft
Archer Launches eVTOL into Crowded Marketplace
The backing for the startup from a leading technology entrepreneur has provided a boost for the eVTOL sector at a time of concern over investment rates.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Civil Aviation Decline Forces Rolls-Royce To Cut 9,000 Jobs
The aircraft engine maker aims to achieve annual savings of around $1.6 billion, with most of the impact being on its UK-based civil aerospace business.
Airlines
Travel Restrictions Raise Fear of More Painful Airline Recovery
U.S. travel ban presents a particularly high barrier to international travel.
Charter & Fractional
Pipistrel Slows Uber eVTOL Work to Advance Other New Aircraft
Uber Air partner Pipistrel says it is moving forward with plans for two new electric cargo aircraft and a hydrogen-powered 19-seat regional airliner.
FutureFlight
Quantum Teams with OSM to Train Pilots for Planned Electric Air Taxi Services
OSM Aviation will train ab initio pilots to fly Bye eFlyer electric aircraft for Quantum Air's air taxi network.
FutureFlight
EHang Set to Launch Commercial Sightseeing Flights for Chinese Hotel Guests in its Autonomous Aircraft
It remains unclear on what basis the Chinese manufacturer might be approved to carry passengers in its as-yet-uncertified AAV aircraft.
Aircraft
Cora eVTOL Set to Resume Flight Testing in New Zealand
Wisk is close to finalising the design of its Cora eVTOL aircraft as New Zealand and U.S. regulators monitor flight test progress.
Aircraft
VoltAero Unveils Production Version of Hybrid-Electric Cassio
The reworked design for the hybrid-electric Cassio pusherprop will offer range of up to 920 nm, seating between four and six passengers.
Aircraft
Leonardo Sees 2020 Hit from Decline in Civil Aviation Markets
Italy's Leonardo saw first quarter earnings decline, mainly on the civil side of its business, including helicopters, ATR airliners, and aerostructures.
Aircraft
IAG Cuts Deliveries As Full Recovery Not Anticipated Before 2023
IAG incurred a loss of around $577 million in the first quarter of 2020, and sees even tougher trading conditions in the second and third quarters.
Charter & Fractional
New Data Shows Tentative Signs of Bizav Traffic Recovery
The last few days of April provided evidence that business aviation flight activity may have passed the worst of the Covid-19-driven downturn.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
eVTOL Aircraft Programs Could Face Investment Squeeze
AirFinance founder Kirsten Bartok Touw predicts rapid consolidation in the urban air mobility sector as only companies with cash in hand may now succeed.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Grows Revenues, Profits in 1Q20
Improved earnings on the military side of the helicopter business have balanced disappointing news from the struggling oil and gas sector.
