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 On The Radar
Very Light Jet Air Taxis Were Advanced Air Mobility 1.0 Until the Hype Got Seen as Hubris
Veterans of the VLJ wave in the 2000s urge today's eVTOL pioneers to learn from the trend that failed to change the private aviation game as promised.
FutureFlight
MightyFly Cleared to Start Autonomous Cargo Drone Services
The start-up's hybrid-electric MF-100 aircraft is expected to have a 100-pound payload and a range of up to 600 miles.
FutureFlight
Volocopter Steps Up Chinese Urban Air Mobility Plans Through Geely Joint Venture
Chinese automotive group Geely Technology is among the largest investors in the German eVTOL aircraft developer.
FutureFlight
Lilium Partners With Airports to Build Regional Air Mobility Network in Bavaria
From Nuremberg and Munich airports, Lilium intends to offer flights to cities across the large and economically vibrant German state.
FutureFlight
With Astro Acquisition Looming, Horizon Says Investors Still Bullish On eVTOL Air Taxis
Astro says it plans to acquire Horizon Aircraft as it seeks a Nasdaq listing to support plans for a trio of eVTOL designs, the Cavorite X5, the Alta and the Elroy.
FutureFlight
EHang Confirms Plans For VT30 Longer-Range, Lift-plus-Cruise eVTOL Aircraft
The Chinese company is also seeking an experimental certificate for a new piloted version of its fully-autonomous EH216 eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
NFT Unveils New-look Aska eVTOL as a Flying SUV
The California start-up plans to fly a full-scale prototype in 2022 as part of NASA's Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge en route to planned first deliveries in 2026.
FutureFlight
Xwing Achieves Autonomous Gate-to-Gate Operations in Test Flight
The converted Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operated autonomously from pushback at the gate until it returned to that gate at Buchanan Field Airport in California.
FutureFlight On The Radar
Lilium Offers a Clearer View of the Science and Technology Behind Its Ducted Fan eVTOL Aircraft
Publications from the company's new chief technology officer and one of its cofounders provide a robust explanation as to why the company is taking a path less traveled to delivering electric-powered air mobility.
FutureFlight
MagniX Reports Noise Reductions From Electric Beaver Test Flights
The company has converted the DHC-2 Beaver utility aircraft to run on its Magni500 electric motor.
FutureFlight
Blade Orders 20 Beta Alia Aircraft for Air Mobility Services
Beta Technologies refers to the six-seat Alia 250 as an "electric vertical aircraft," rather than using the standard industry term eVTOL.
Aircraft
Blade to Add 20 Beta eVTOLs to Urban Air Mobility Fleet
Over the past week Beta Technologies announced orders for up to 170 of its six-seat Alia 250 all-electric aircraft from Blade Urban Air Mobility and UPS.
FutureFlight
Chinese Logistics Group Turns to Pipistrel for New Cargo VTOL Drone
The unmanned aerial vehicle is expected to enter service in 2023, and China's SF Express group says it may need as many as 1,000 units.
Airlines
French Lawmakers Vote To Ban Some Domestic Flights
New restrictions on domestic scheduled air service in France might affect only five routes, but they could portend wider environmental restrictions.
FutureFlight
PitchBook Forecast Sees Crunch-time Approaching for Under-funded eVTOL Startups
Investors are set to discover how unrealistic some timelines for aircraft certification and commercial service launch could prove to be.
FutureFlight
Jump Teams With Caltech to Develop "Electronic Parachute" for eVTOL Aircraft
Research work is to be conducted under a new Small Business Technology Transfer research contract awarded this week by the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
Aircraft
New Data Tracks the Steep Descent of the A380
New data from Spire Aviation vividly illustrates how airlines had to cut operations by the A380 and other four-engine widebodies amid Covid.
FutureFlight
Despite the Hype, Early eVTOL Operations Will Be More Evolutionary Than Revolutionary
Most commercial eVTOL air taxi services will be based on existing operating rules such as the FAA's Part 135 code and will be flown by experienced pilots.
FutureFlight
Avionics Supplier Claims It Can Solve eVTOL Challenges Like Power Management
Avidyne is already working with eVTOL aircraft developer Beta Technologies and hybrid-electric fixed-wing aircraft maker VoltAero.
FutureFlight On The Radar
New Interactive Online Map Tracks Advanced Air Mobility Early Adopter Cities
SMG Consulting has set up a map to track cities with announced plans for services using new eVTOL aircraft
FutureFlight
UPS Commits to Operating Beta's Alia eVTOL Aircraft for Package Deliveries
UPS Flight Forward has signed a deal to buy 10 Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, with options for another 140 units.
FutureFlight
Bell Takes Patient Approach to the Advanced Air Mobility Market
Despite parent company Textron's recent creation of a new eAviation division, the helicopter manufacturer seems to be taking a cautious approach to bringing new electric aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Considers Vy 400 VTOL Aircraft for Military Support Missions
The aim is for the aircraft to be able to fly automatically at low levels in "nap of the earth" mode to avoid detection by hostile forces.
FutureFlight
Wisk Sues Archer, Alleging Theft and Patent Infringement Over eVTOL Aircraft Design
In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Wisk Aero alleges that several of its former employees passed intellectual property to Archer after joining the company.
Aircraft
Wisk Sues Archer, Alleging eVTOL Patent Infringement
In a lawsuit, Wisk Aero alleges that several of its former employees passed intellectual property to Archer after joining the company.
FutureFlight
Pipistrel's Nuuva V300 Cargo Vehicle Will Use Honeywell Flight Data Systems
Honeywell is providing its Attitude Heading Reference System and Air Data Module to support flight control and navigation functions.
FutureFlight On The Radar
U.S. Commuters Give Their Take on the Case for Urban Air Mobility
Wisk asked almost 500 people across 30 U.S. cities how they would feel about traveling in electric, autonomous air taxis.
Rotorcraft
New AirborneX Platform Offers Helicopters for Lease
Ascent's website brings together owners and operators wanting to lease aircraft on flexible terms.
FutureFlight
New Funding Backs ZeroAvia's Plans for Hydrogen-Powered Regional Airliners
The company—which says it can get a 50-seat aircraft into commercial service in 2026, followed by a 100-seater in 2030—is competing with Universal Hydrogen to pioneer hydrogen power adoption in the airline sector.
FutureFlight
Electric Light Aircraft Start-up Unveils Ambitious Plan for Hybrid Regional Airliner
French start-up Aura Aero is launching plans for a 19-seat Electrical Regional Aircraft as its prepares to bring an all-electric trainer to market.
