Also: Cropduster Tragedy, ANN/Airborne Team Update, FAA SAIB, Gulfstream G650ER, Drone Market Growth, Gripen E, American Airlines

The FAA recently released a study of scheduled and non-scheduled air operators which was mandated by Congress as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.

According to the report, there are 2,155 charter operators utilizing 10,655 aircraft. Seventy percent of charter fleet is helicopters and piston or turboprop airplanes. Charter aircraft serve more than 3,000 airports, and most charter establishments average 19 employees, have one or two aircraft and less than $2.5 million in annual revenues. It is often been said in scientific research that learning what does not work is a step to learning solutions. When SpaceX stuck the landing of its main booster on a platform in the Pacific Ocean following their most recent launch, it appears the booster was damaged to the point that it may not be reusable. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Twitter that the rocket suffered "max damage, due to a high entry velocity. [It] will be our life leader for ground tests to confirm others are good." The Academy of Model Aeronautics has been helping graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, and is now celebrating its dream of reaching a total of $1 million in awarded scholarships. This year, the AMA has awarded $48,000 in scholarships to 10 high school graduates from across the nation, which has helped bring the total of AMA scholarships that have been given to college-bound aeromodelers to $1 million. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne 05.20.16 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Friday, May 20th, 2016... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Brianne Cross and Christopher Odom, and supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton, and Earl Downs, this episode covers:

• NATA: FAA Charter Industry Report Demonstrates Folly Of User Fees On GA
• SpaceX Booster Suffered 'Max Damage' In Ocean Recovery
• Academy Of Model Aeronautics Hits $1 Million Scholarship Milestone
• Pilot In Fatal Crop Duster Accident Had Been Grammy-Nominated
• Barnstorming: An ANN/Airborne Team Update
• FAA SAIB Focuses On Lycoming Engine Prop Governors
• Gulfstream G650ER Adds Another Speed Record
• Report: Commercial Drone Market Growth Forecast Strong
• Saab Unveils The First Gripen E
• American Airlines Receives Its First US-Produced Airbus Aircraft

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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