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

Kotaro Chiba, co-founder and managing partner of venture-capital group Drone Fund, yesterday became the first private individual to preorder a SkyDrive SD-05 two-seat eVTOL. The Japanese company started accepting preorders this week from private individuals, but has been securing preorders from business customers since unveiling a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-26/new-funding-skydrive-unveils-two-seat-short-hop-evtol-aircraft" target="_blank">new vehicle design</a>&nbsp;in September. Chiba also was the first investor in the company back in November 2018.
SkyDrive did not disclose the terms of the personal-use preorder agreements, including if they are backed by a down payment. The company has also not revealed the purchase price for the SD-05, which it aims to start delivering in 2025.
Chiba, who owns a HondaJet, holds a pilot’s license. However, SkyDrive said personal-use customers for the SD-05 will not be required to be licensed pilots.
In other news, SkyDrive reported earlier this week that it has raised ¥10 billion ($75.1 million) in further capital via its Series C funding round. Since its launch in 2018, the company has raised more than ¥15 billion in funding, it said.
Want more? You can find a longer version of this article at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.futureflight.aero/" target="_blank">FutureFlight.aero</a>, a news and information resource developed by&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;to provide objective coverage and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology.

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