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

EHang this week announced the latest location in its 100 Air Mobility Routes Initiative to promote eVTOL aircraft operations, with the launch of a new 5G Intelligent Air Mobility Experience Center in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. The facility has been jointly developed by the manufacturer with the Guangzhou Development District Communications Investment Group.
The site is equipped with a rooftop vertiport from which EHang’s EH216 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV) and also its Falcon B cargo drone can operate. It is integrated with a parking garage for autonomous electric road vehicles.
The new infrastructure includes charging facilities for electric batteries and maintenance for the vehicles. A 5G telecommunications network will support EHang’s command and control system for managing eVTOL flight operations.
One of the main goals for EHang and its partner is to establish viable urban air mobility (UAM) routes across the large city in southern China. The center is being used to plan and evaluate routes for passenger transportation, sightseeing, and logistics, starting in Guangzhou’s Huangpu district.
“We will use the world’s leading AAV technologies and command-and-control system to provide intelligent, comprehensive solutions for urban air mobility and smart city management in Guangzhou,” said EHang chairman and CEO Huazhi Hu. “We expect to build Guangzhou into a model city for UAM and have plans to extend it to more cities across the country and worldwide.”
Also this week, EHang released a video of what appears to be a new logistics drone being developed around the design for its VT-30 eVTOL aircraft. The unnamed model is smaller than the VT-30, which is expected to be able to carry two passengers up to 300 km (186 miles).
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Charles Alcock

EHang's 100 Air Mobility Routes Initiative is aimed at establishing the infrastructure across Chinese cities, such as Guangzhou, to support multiple types of eVTOL aircraft services. (Image: EHang)

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