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

Electric batteries group Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) is set to make a strategic investment in eVTOL aircraft developer AutoFlight. On August 3, the Chinese companies announced that CATL would invest “hundreds of millions of dollars” in AutoFlight and would collaborate in battery development and manufacturing for eVTOL vehicles, including the four-passenger Prosperity model.
CATL will make its research and development resources available to AutoFlight to support efforts to increase the range and payload of eVTOL aircraft. Both companies are based in China but also have facilities in Germany, where AutoFlight is conducting much of its engineering work for the Prosperity aircraft.
To date, AutoFlight’s main strategic investor has been the European technology group Team Global, founded by Lukasz Gadowski. It is also funded by its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-02-22/autoflight-promises-air-mobility-cost-revolution-its-prosperity-i-evtol">founder and chairman Tian Yu</a>.
On April 30, the Civil Aviation Administration of China accepted AutoFlight’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-30/autoflight-begins-chinese-certification-prosperity-evtol">type certificate application</a> for the piloted Prosperity aircraft. The regulator approved the application five weeks after it issued a type certificate for AutoFlight’s uncrewed CarryAll eVTOL freighter.
On August 1, AutoFlight conducted its latest public demonstration with a prototype of the Prosperity, which flew a sortie across the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province. Simulating a sightseeing trip, the aircraft took off from the Pukhou High-Tech Zone in the city of Nanjing and then circled at around 800 feet above the river before over-flying the Yuzui Wetland Park and returning to its base.
This flight followed previous demonstrations in which AutoFlight claimed a world record for flying the Prosperity prototype 250.3 km (155.5 miles). The Shanghai-based company has also flown three aircraft in formation and conducted a trial air taxi flight from <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-02-27/autoflights-prosperity-evtol-aircraft-conducts-autonomous-flight-demo">Shenzhen to Zhuhai</a>.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Battery Group CATL Invests in AutoFlight's eVTOL Aircraft Plans

The Chinese companies will work together to develop batteries supporting longer range and higher payloads for aircraft

China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. will make a strategic investment of "hundreds of millions of dollars" in eVTOL aircraft developer AutoFlight.

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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.

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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.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In this article

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