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

Italian start-up SkyGate aims to establish a hub for developing eVTOL aircraft and other advanced air mobility technology in Turin. The company, a subsidiary of avionics specialist DigiSky, is backed by former NASA astronaut and test pilot Maurizio Cheli.
Plans call for the redevelopment of the northern Italian city’s AeroClub Torino at the Torino Aeritalia Airport. Announcing the project on February 9, SkyGate did not publish a timeline for implementation but said that it will soon announce investors and partners, confirming that it has approached eVTOL aircraft developers (whose names it didn't disclose) about using the site for research and development work.
According to SkyGate, part of the attraction of the airport location is its proximity to the Politecnico of Turin, a university with a well-regarded aerospace engineering department. Also nearby is the city’s Cittadella dell’aerospazio aerospace business zone.
“SkyGate will offer business acceleration services for start-ups and scale-ups, creating fruitful synergies between enterprises, services, and academics,” said Carolo Caiffa, president of DigiSky’s parent company, Always. He said that the facility can be expected to attract further investment from other industry stakeholders and could serve as a springboard for wider plans to develop a network of air mobility services and infrastructure across Italy. 
The AeroClub Torino, which has been in existence for more than a century, is urging local officials to extend the agreements under which it and other aviation organizations are permitted to use the site. The airfield is also home to a drone training company.
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Charles Alcock

SkyGate plans to convert the AeroClub Torino into a hub for advancing eVTOL aircraft development at an airfield site close to the center of the Italian city of Turin. (Image: SkyGate)

Turin Offers Site For Advanced Air Mobility Development Hub

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