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
Aerosud Partners with Samad To Develop Starling Cargo eVTOL Vehicle
The South African aerostructures group will produce parts for the remotely piloted model, and may manufacture complete aircraft if there is sufficient demand in its region.
FutureFlight
Aura Aero Secures Part 21G Manufacturing Approval
The French start-up is close to beginning production of its Integral family of light aircraft, as it continues development of a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner.
Aircraft
Textron's eVTOL Aircraft Plans Are Still In the Balance
Textron confirmed that its Nexus eVTOL is a technology testbed, rather than an active program as it continues to assess its advanced air mobility options.
FutureFlight
Russia Sees Hybrid Propulsion Potential in Updated Rotary Piston Engines
A government-backed research institute is funding work to develop a hybrid-electric powertrain based on a new version of the Wankel piston engine that is now being used to power Mazda's new RX-8 car.
FutureFlight
JetBlue Buys into the Transformation of the Travel Industry
The airline venture capital arm has been a significant early-stage investor in start-ups such as eVOL aircraft developer Joby and propulsion system pioneer Universal Hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Textron Confirms Bell's Nexus eVTOL May Not Make It to Market
The U.S. aerospace group has used its Nexus eVTOL design as a technology testbed, but the head of its eAviation team says it has yet to prove the business case for launching the program.
Aircraft
JetBlue Ventures Buys Into Travel Industry Transformation
JetBlue has made significant early-stage investments in aviation technology start-ups like eVTOL aircraft developer Joby and Universal Hydrogen.
FutureFlight
Skyroads Joins Supernal's Efforts To Develop Advanced Air Mobility Airspace
The air traffic management specialist is participating with other stakeholders in the Airspace Management Consortium set up by Hyundai's eVTOL aircraft division, Supernal.
FutureFlight
Korean Mobility App Backs Urban Air Mobility Feasibility Study
Kakao Mobility and Volocopter are conducting a joint study into how urban air mobility services could be launched in South Korea in 2025.
FutureFlight On The Radar
How Planepooling Could Drive a Respooling of Regional Air Services
Research fellows from George Mason University's Mercatus Center have re-evaluated options for ensuring that what they see as a tipping point moment for regional aviation in America achieves its full potential.
FutureFlight
Joby Charts Its Timeline for eVTOL Type Certification and Service Launch
Type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL should begin in earnest in 2022 when the FAA confirms the means of compliance, allowing full testing of all systems and components and the complete prototype.
FBOs
Jetex, Eve Partnering on eVTOL Ecosystem
Business aviation support group Jetex is joining a list of prospective partners working with Embraer Eve to prepare the ecosystem to support eVTOL ops.
FutureFlight
AutoFlight Lands $100 Million Investment in V1500M Passenger eVTOL Vehicle
German technology investment group Team Global led a Series A funding round that will support the Chinese start-up's efforts to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to market in 2024.
FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce Claims World Speed Record for Electric Spirit of Innovation Flight
Working with battery developer Electroflight and motor and controller maker Yasa, the aero engines group converted an NXT Next kitplane to achieve speeds matching the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft.
FutureFlight
Thales and Diehl Sign Up as CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Program Partners
The avionics groups will jointly provide flight control computers for the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft that Airbus aims to bring to market in 2025.
FutureFlight
Marry Tesla to Uber and You Get eVTOL Transportation as a Service, Say UAM Pioneers
Senior executives from eVTOL aircraft developers Joby and Archer, and also would-be early urban air mobility adopter United Airlines, shared their vision in a Northwestern University webinar.
FutureFlight
Former Bombardier President Fred Cromer Joins Flight Autonomy Pioneer
Cromer also ran airliner leasing group ILFC and served as CFO with regional airlines Continental Express and Express Jet.
FutureFlight
Eve Rebrands eVTOL Aircraft in the Image of Racing Legend Senna
The subsidiary of Brazilian aerospace group Embraer is partnering with the branding organization formed by the country's Formula One car racing legend Ayrton Senna.
FutureFlight
Lilium Sees Rising Costs as eVTOL Development Work Accelerates
In 2022, Lilium will relocate flight testing of its fifth-generation technology demonstrator from Germany to Spain where better weather will allow it to expand the flight envelope.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Balance Sheets Don't Lie as First of the eVTOL SPAC Pack Post Quarterly Earnings
As it continues on the long and winding path to revenue generation with its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, Joby's cash batteries appear to be well charged.
Aircraft
Indian Start-up Akasa Builds Boeing Fleet With $9 Billion Deal
India's Akasa Air ordered 72 Boeing 737 Max-8 narrowbodies to start services in 2022, as Air Tanzania expands fleet with a mix of 787, 767, and 737 Maxes.
Aircraft
Afrijet Orders ATR 72-600s with Fuel Efficient Pratt Engines
The Gabon-based carrier is replacing some of its smaller ATR 72-500s, as Japan's Toki Air considers investment in new short takeoff and landing ATR42s.
Aircraft
Jazeera and Ibom Air Boost Airbus With $2.2 Billion Deals
Jazeera Airways, Ibom Air, and Air Tanzania dominated the commercial airliner sales news from day three of the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Aircraft
Political Heat is Driving the Sustainability Beat, Says Raytheon
Raytheon's engines, aircraft systems, and defense divisions are leveraging multiple technologies to reduce their customers' environmental impact.
FutureFlight
Charter Group Plans To Bring Electric Propulsion to Latin America
Brazil-based on-demand flight booking service Flapper has committed to convert up to 20 Cessna Grand Caravans to run on MagniX's electric propulsion system from 2024.
FutureFlight
Counting the Cost of Urban Air Mobility Flights
Will eVTOL air taxi services really be able to deliver the promised on-demand flights affordable across income groups, or will this be another perk for high-net-worth individuals?
FutureFlight
Flight Training for eVTOL Aircraft Crew Set To Start Under Existing Commercial Rules
Operators of eVTOL air taxi services need to recruit and train pilots to support services that they say will rapidly scale up, but regulators aren't ready to cut any corners on safety.
Aircraft
Embraer Lengthens Maintenance Intervals for Business Jets
Lineage and Legacy operators will benefit from improved aircraft availability and reduced maintenance costs based on analysis of in-service performance.
Airlines
Flyadeal Signs for GE's TrueChoice Engine Overhaul Coverage
Low-cost carrier Flyadeal will have CFM56-5B engines for its A320 fleet overhauled by Caerdav under a TrueChoice support agreement with GE Aviation.
Engines
Middle East Carriers Now Have Local Option For APU Maintenance
Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries has been appointed an authorized service center for Honeywell's 131-9 auxiliary power units for 737 NGs and A320s.
