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.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Vertical Aerospace has completed the closing of the <a href="Airo%20Group%20Will%20Open%20U.S.%20Drone%20Production%20Facility%20in%20IPO-backed%20Expansion">public offering</a> it announced earlier this year. On July 11, the UK company said the net proceeds from the $60 million raised will extend available cash to support work on its VX4 eVTOL aircraft through the middle of 2026.
The offering sold 12 million ordinary shares in the company priced at $5. Underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1.8 million shares at the same price.
Earlier this month, Vertical expanded its leadership team, appointing Mark Higson as chief operating officer and Steve Vellacott, who was formerly CTO and head of design with German eVTOL manufacturer Lilium, as vice president and head of design organization. The company has also appointed former Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation executive Eric Samson to lead its plans for a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft.
As it presses ahead with plans to complete type certification of the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft in 2028, Vertical expects to have achieved a piloted transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight with a prototype before the end of 2025. In May, it achieved what it said was the first piloted wingborne eVTOL flight in open airspace.
According to Vertical, it has now logged around 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4 from a variety of airlines and other prospective air taxi operators. On June 12, helicopter group Bristow extended its existing memorandum of understanding by agreeing to acquire up to 100 aircraft. The companies have also agreed to collaborate to offer what they call a “ready to fly” support package, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, for other VX customers.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Vertical Aerospace Raises $60 Million for VX4 eVTOL Aircraft Development

UK start-up says it now has cash to support work on the four-passenger aircraft through mid-2026

Vertical Aerospace’s efforts to bring the VX4 eVTOL to market in 2028 have been boosted by a $60 million public offering and support from the Bristow group.

Vertical Raises $60 Million for VX4 eVTOL Aircraft Development

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Utility-configured aircraft led pricing gains

Aero Asset Reports Single-engine Helo Price Surge Trend

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Agreement avoids 15% tariffs that go into effect for other products on August 1

U.S.-EU Trade Deal Spares Aerospace from Tariffs

Curt Epstein

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

The Titan Fuels company is increasing its products for Titan-branded FBOs

Titan Aerospace Insurance Offers Plan for Branded FBOs

The Brazilian airframer has nearly $30 billion in financial committments

Embraer Reaches Record Backlog for E-Jets in 2Q2025

The French group’s first-half order intake grew 57% in the first half of 2025

Defense Bolsters Dassault, Trappier Decries U.S. Tariffs

The Collins business is now part of the Safran Electronics & Defense division 

Safran Completes Acquisition of Collins’ Flight Controls

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

In this article

Vertical Aerospace

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Aero Asset Reports Single-engine Helo Price Surge Trend

Utility-configured aircraft led pricing gains

U.S.-EU Trade Deal Spares Aerospace from Tariffs

Agreement avoids 15% tariffs that go into effect for other products on August 1

Titan Aerospace Insurance Offers Plan for Branded FBOs

The Titan Fuels company is increasing its products for Titan-branded FBOs

Embraer Reaches Record Backlog for E-Jets in 2Q2025

The Brazilian airframer has nearly $30 billion in financial committments

Defense Bolsters Dassault, Trappier Decries U.S. Tariffs

The French group’s first-half order intake grew 57% in the first half of 2025

Safran Completes Acquisition of Collins’ Flight Controls

The Collins business is now part of the Safran Electronics & Defense division

Trade Deal Means UK Aerospace Avoids U.S. Sanctions

Some major trading partners across the EU and Canada still face high tariffs

U.S. Transportation Leader Hints at Aviation Tariff Compromise

Trump administration may remove aerospace from wider trade deal negotiations

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN