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
First Fare-Paying eVTOL Passenger Flights Could Happen In Paris During 2024 Olympic Games
Volocopter is about to apply for an air operator certificate as it prepares for what could be the world's first commercial eVTOL flights to be started in time for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Airbus and MIT Assess How Fairness Principles Might Apply to Air Traffic Management For eVTOL Aircraft and Drones
The partners have devised what they call a Fairness Engine to assess how to prioritize access to airspace, primarily for eVTOL aircraft and drones that can't file flight plans on a first-come, first-served basis.
FutureFlight
Jaunt Prepares for eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing In Quebec, Naming Supply-chain Partner
The Journey eVTOL aircraft is to be type certified under Transport Canada rules in 2027, with FAA approval to follow.
FutureFlight
Supernal Adds Suppliers and Manufacturing Partners for SA-1 eVTOL Air Taxi
Supernal has tapped GKN Aerospace, Qarbon Aerospace, and Umbra Group to help design components and refine manufacturing processes for its SA-1 eVTOL air taxi.
Engines
U.S. Air Force Tests Light, Compact Electric Generators
Wright Electric has developed the 30 kW electric generators to supper the Air Force's need to have more agile and lean operations.
Aircraft
UrbanV and Lilium To Develop Vertiports in Italy and France
The UrbanV-Lilium partnership could lead to a network of vertiports at multiple sites in Italy and also in the south of France.
FutureFlight
Safran Explores Power Options For Next Generation Volocopter eVTOL Aircraft
Volocopter has also conducted flight trials with its two-seat vehicle in Saudi Arabia as part of its partnership with the Neom development.
Aircraft
GKN Works On Hydrogen Propulsion With Embraer
As part of Embraer's Energia program to consider net zero carbon aircraft, GKN will provide expertise on hydrogen propulsion systems.
Aircraft
Airliner Backlogs Build Back Bigger at Paris 2023
Rising revenue flows could prompt a further wave of mergers and acquisitions activity despite supply chain strains and rising capital costs.
Training and Workforce
Given the Opportunity, Women Could Fill Aerospace Skills Gap
Companies are investing in multi-pronged efforts to boost female involvement in engineering, but women still account for around one-fifth of the total.
Aircraft
First eVTOL Passenger Flights Set For Paris In 2024
Volocopter says it expects to complete EASA type certification in time for the Paris Olympic Games starting in late July 2024.
Engines
Wright Logs 1-MW Output With Electric Motor Generator
Wright Electric aims to produce a 2-MW powertrain that could power single-aisle airliners and will soon start new tests with NASA.
FutureFlight
Wisk's eVTOL Air Taxi To Navigate with Safran's SkyNaute
Safran's SkyNaute inertial navigation system will support Wisk's plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft autonomously, with no pilot on board.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Ampaire Makes the Case For Hybrid-Electric Propulsion
A new white paper evaluates alternative power options to reduce carbon emissions from aircraft.
Aircraft
Wisk's eVTOL Air Taxi To Navigate with Safran's SkyNaute
Safran's SkyNaute inertial navigation system will support Wisk's plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft autonomously, with no pilot on board.
Engines
H2Fly Launches Higher Performance Hydrogen Fuel Cells
German propulsion pioneer H2Fly says the H175 family of fuel cells could power both new and existing aircraft carrying between 20 and 80 passengers.
Engines
MTU Will Produce Hydrogen Fuel Cells For Regional Airliners
German aircraft engine maker MTU is working with its new electric motor subsidiary EmoSys to bring its Flying Fuel Cell powertrain to market in 2030.
Aircraft
Leasing Group Plans To Add Alice Electric Aircraft to Portfolio
Aeroleasing signed a letter of intent covering the planned purchase of up to 50 Eviation Alice electric aircraft.
Aircraft
Electric VTOL Upstarts Take Center Stage in City of Light
In a historic moment, Volocopter's eVTOL aircraft opened the flying display, silently demonstrating how these vehicles could transform crowded cities.
Engines
Collins Generator Will Meet Rising Military Power Needs
Collins Aerospace's 1-MW electric generator will help the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory meet future aircraft requirements.
FutureFlight
Lilium Enters China Market As Heli-Eastern Agrees to Buy 100 eVTOL Aircraft
Lilium has announced its first purchase agreement with a Chinese operator, as well as plans to open a regional headquarters in China.
Aircraft
Deutsche Aircraft Confirms Supply Chain Plan for D328eco
Thyssenkrupp Aerospace will manage the ordering and distribution of parts for the D328eco regional airliner being developed by Deutsche Aircraft.
Aircraft
Hydrogen Business Jet Could Turn Private Aviation Green
French start-up Beyond Aero said its hydrogen-fuel-based propulsion system will support range of up to 800 nm while carrying four passengers.
Aircraft
Future Fliers Flock to Paris
This week many Paris Air Show visitors will get their first glimpse of new eVTOL aircraft designed to transform how people and things move around cities.
Aircraft
Spirit To Build Composite Fuselage for Honda's New Light Jet
Spirit is adding to its aerostructures portfolio, which already includes Bombardier's business jets and various Airbus and Boeing airliners.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
UK Pavilion Features Strong Showing From Tech Start-ups
As it wrestles with a challenging economic environment, the UK's aerospace and defense companies have flocked to the 2023 Paris Air Show in large numbers.
Avionics
High-voltage Electric Aircraft Need Improved Connectors
TE Connectivity is displaying a wide array of high-voltage connectors for new eVTOL aircraft.
Aircraft
Aviation Chases Carbon Cutting Quantum Leap
With climate change metrics intensifying, air transport has a mountain to climb to achieve the legally-binding net-zero carbon requirement in 2050.
FutureFlight
eVTOL Aircraft Make the Case For Advanced Air Mobility At the Paris Air Show
Volocopter's 2X eVTOL technology demonstrator opened the daily flying display, demonstrating the low noise levels it is hoped will make the new aircraft acceptable in cities.
Aircraft
GKN Spends Big to Chase NetZero Technology Leadership Role
UK aerospace group GKM wants to be a key enabler of the aviation industry's commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
