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

Clearance for Boeing’s 737 Max airliner to return to service after an unprecedented 20-month grounding has been one of the key air transport stories of 2020, bringing a degree of redemption to the U.S. manufacturer at the close of a grim year. Over the past week, the Max portfolio has been boosted by fresh orders from Ryanair and Alaska Airlines. However, even following the lifting of restrictions by FAA and its Brazilian counterpart ANAC, the case isn’t completely closed.

 


In Europe, EASA is still finalizing the airworthiness directives it is expected to issue in mid-January. This week, families of some of those killed in the Ethiopian Airlines fatal accident that, along with the Lion Air crash, prompted the grounding, have urged EASA to hold off on lifting it. The pushback came days after a U.S. Senate committee issued a report slamming FAA and Boeing for alleged shortcomings in safety oversight.

 


Against this backdrop, Spire Aviation has tapped its proprietary satellite data to provide a vivid recap of how the grounding of the 737 Max unfolded back in March 2019. The data sheds light on which countries were fastest to enforce a ban and which still allowed the narrowbody to fly until a global grounding was enforced.

 


In data brought to life through <a href="https://data.spire.com/stories/boeing-737-max-flies-again-data-reveals-the-timeline-of-max-groundings-and-relaunch/">video presentations</a>, the Spire team has also tracked key aspects of what has transpired since the FAA cleared the way for a return to service on November 18. These show test flights involving U.S. Canadian and Brazilian safety inspectors and carriers such as American Airlines, Gol, and Air Canada.

 


<a href="https://spire.com/aviation/">Spire Aviation</a>&nbsp;is part of the Spire Global group, which is owned by the San Francisco-headquartered&nbsp;Spacetech company. Based on its own satellite constellation, it identifies, tracks, and predicts the movement of multiple sets of resources and weather systems to support decisions by companies and governments.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Traffic Data Recaps Max Grounding and Return to Service

Satellite data from Spire Aviation provides a vivid snapshot of how Boeing's 737 Max was grounded in March 2019 and how it has returned to service.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Gordon Gilbert

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.

Fatal accidents were down year over year from 12 to 10

Year-to-date Bizav Accidents Decline

Matt Thurber

Aircraft touched down on the runway then departed onto a grassy area

Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

Mark Huber

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

Black Hawk had landed on a private airstrip that was also a snowmobile trail

Snowmobiler Who Collided with Army Helo Awarded $3.3M

All five passengers drowned after autorotation into NYC's East River

Jury Awards $116M in Doors-off Helitour Crash

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 information on safety procedures and concerns.

More In Accidents

Year-to-date Bizav Accidents Decline

Fatal accidents were down year over year from 12 to 10

Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

Aircraft touched down on the runway then departed onto a grassy area

Snowmobiler Who Collided with Army Helo Awarded $3.3M

Black Hawk had landed on a private airstrip that was also a snowmobile trail

Jury Awards $116M in Doors-off Helitour Crash

All five passengers drowned after autorotation into NYC's East River

NTSB: Poor Pilot Training, Monitoring Led to Fatal C90 Accident

Pilot also violated company's sterile cockpit rules

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: October 2024

Preliminary and final accident reports, October 2024

No Solid Clues Why Citation Didn’t Climb before Crash

Witness said the engines didn't sound normal on takeoff

Flap Setting May Have Been Missed in Runway Excursion

Aircraft sustained damage but the two pilots onboard were not injured in mishap at Colorado airport

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