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

Personal eVTOL aircraft developer Air this week unveiled plans for a new uncrewed version of its vehicle to be used for cargo deliveries and other logistics roles. Announcing the new model on June 18, the company said it has already taken orders for the Air One Cargo and has delivered the first example to a customer based in an undisclosed country where it can be operated on a self-regulated basis under an experimental license prior to type certification.
The all-electric Air One Cargo can carry a payload of 550 pounds, which is more than the 440-pound payload previously published for the piloted, passenger-carrying aircraft. According to Air, the single-charge range of around 95 nm will be similar to that of the original model, as will the speed at between 87 and 135 knots.
Air said it is set to deliver more examples of the new Cargo vehicle this year and into the first half of 2025. Much of the early interest in this version has been from the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
Having previously indicated that the passenger aircraft would complete FAA type certification by the end of 2024, the company is not currently projecting a date for that two-seat version to enter service with private owners.
In February, Air announced a partnership with Japan’s Nidec Motor Corporation to develop a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-02-26/nidec-developing-electric-motors-air-one-personal-evtol-aircraft">new electric motor</a> for the Air One aircraft. This will replace an earlier powertrain that Air has used for an earlier technology demonstrator it started testing in late 2022.
Air was founded in Israel and has had a U.S. operating base in Fort Worth, Texas, for some time. The company said it generated revenues of over $1 million in 2023, mainly from early orders for the Air One Cargo vehicle. Further purchase orders have boosted Air’s revenue projections to unspecified totals for 2024 and 2025. To date, Air holds 1,170 reservations for the Air One personal eVTOL aircraft.
According to the company, it is building flight test hours with the Air One prototype. In December, the U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx unit selected the vehicle for assessment as part of the Agility Prime research and development program to evaluate possible military applications for eVTOL aircraft.
“Venturing into this new market with the Air One Cargo is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the integration of eVTOLs into all spheres of daily life, for a variety of use cases,” said Air’s co-founder and CEO Rani Plaut. “We expanded our offerings in response to strong market demand, and the feedback we’ve already received affirms that Air One’s robust capabilities and simple, cost-effective design make it an extremely agile platform, uniquely able to scale across different uses.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Uncrewed Air One Cargo eVTOL Aircraft Attracts Early Interest 

The new model is a spin-off from the company's piloted personal eVTOL aircraft

The uncrewed Air One Cargo eVTOL aircraft has a payload of 550 pounds and around the same range and speed as its passenger-carrying sibling and is in demand.

Uncrewed Air One Cargo eVTOL Aircraft Attracts Early Interest

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Joseph Carfagna Jr.

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.

Certainty benefits the preowned business aircraft market

AINsight: Election Results and the Fence

Kerry Lynch

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

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.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

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

More In Aircraft