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

Leonardo Helicopters AW109, AW109C, AW109 Grand, AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker, AW109 Power, and AW109 K2, also Agusta A109 and A109 Power

Charles Alcock

The UK government is canceling plans for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior ministers to travel in a leased helicopter operated by the Royal Air Force. Defense secretary John Healey has determined that the new Labour administration will not renew a five-year contract when it expires at the end of this year.
In 2023, former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak overruled Ben Wallace, the defense secretary at the time, who had sought to scrap a contract under which Leonardo’s UK distributor Sloane Helicopters provided a pair of AW109 rotorcraft to be flown by RAF pilots and based at Northolt airfield in west London. The contract, worth up to £40 million ($52.9 million), was subsequently put out to tender for planned renewal at the end of 2024, but the Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday that this will not be signed.
Starmer’s government is poised to implement significant cuts to public spending. During the recent UK general election campaign, his Labour Party strongly criticized Sunak and other Conservative leaders for traveling by helicopter for short trips they argued could have been made more cost-effectively by train.
For international flights by government leaders, the Royal Air Force’s 32 Squadron operates a VIP-equipped Airbus A330 Voyager aircraft. Senior members of the royal family have access to chartered jets operated by Luxaviation UK under an agreement signed in 2009.

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

UK Government To Scrap Contract for Ministerial Helicopter Flights

New contract will not be signed at the end of 2024

The UK's new Labour administration will not sign a new contract under which leased helicopters are operated by the Royal Air Force for government flights.

UK Government To Scrap Contract for Helicopter Flights

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

AmyWilder

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 about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

In this article

Leonardo AW109 Series

Leonardo

AgustaWestland

More In Rotorcraft

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

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