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

A second Falcon 10X prototype has been involved in flight testing since making its first flight from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac site near Bordeaux on September 24. The company confirmed that the aircraft (S/N 2) has joined the first prototype of the long-range business jet, which is flying three sorties per week from Istres in southern France. Each flight lasts around four hours to expand the flight envelope with higher speeds, angles of attack, and altitudes, Dassault told AIN.
The inaugural 10X prototype made its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-06-19/dassaults-falcon-10x-bizjet-makes-first-test-flight">first flight</a> on June 19. A month later, Dassault announced that the service entry target date for the new Falcon <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-07-23/dassault-falcon-10x-entry-service-slips-2029">slipped by two years</a> to 2029, with chairman and CEO Éric Trappier explaining that additional time is needed due to the more stringent regulatory environment after the Boeing Max debacle.
In the latest edition of its Falcon FlightLine newsletter, Dassault also marked the 10th anniversary of its service center located next to the main assembly line at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (LFBD). Since 2016, the six-bay facility, which employs 70 people, has managed 600 maintenance projects, including 66 C-checks for Falcon 7X and 8X jets.

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