Also: Wanna Buy A Control Tower?, SAC 7-35 Airdata Computer, Remembering Frank Beagle, Exp 35 Astros Drop In, 777X Team Named, AF Academy Grads Will Get Their Flyover!

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia Tuesday. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has announced plans to establish the CAF National Airbase at a major metropolitan area and its intent to launch a nationwide search immediately. ISS Commander Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the station has performed a rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" while aboard the orbiting outpost. Released Monday, May 13, the video quickly went viral with several million hits in its first day online and was well past 12 million when last we checked. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Klyde Does 'Drone' On... 

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Approvals Come From FAA, EASA, Brazil's ANAC

The FAA, EASA, and ANAC - Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil; EASA have certified Required Navigation Performance (RNP), Vertical Navigation (VNAV), Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) as installed on both the Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 aircraft.

Launch Planned For 2016, With Samples Returning In 2023

NASA's first mission to sample an asteroid is moving ahead into development and testing in preparation for its launch in 2016. The Origins-Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) passed a confirmation review Wednesday called Key Decision Point (KDP)-C. NASA officials reviewed a series of detailed project assessments and authorized the spacecraft's continuation into the development phase.

RV-8 Was Being Built By Service Member Fatally Injured In KC-135 Accident In Kyrgyzstan

A special project is occurring at the EAA Chapter 79 hangar on Spokane, Washington's Felts Field. About a dozen chapter members are working to complete panel work on the RV-8 owned by a fellow member, United States Air Force Capt. Tyler Voss, who was tragically killed along with two other airmen when their KC-135 Stratotanker crashed on May 3 in Kyrgyzstan.

ANN/Aero-TV Marketing Department Needs Part or Full Time Personnel Since ANN started, we have enjoyed the amazing support of a group of sponsors who have, by and large, been generous and visionary. As a matter of fact, most of the sponsors you see on ANN called us first -- leaving us little to do but to finish some paperwork, and get them started. You have no idea how wonderful that has been for us... leaving us (mostly) to work on the editorial end of ANN and build it into what is generally recognized as the Aviation World's Most Widely Read Daily News Service.

Company Develops Technology To Enable Microgravity-Based Life Sciences Research

The Bionetics Corporation, a diversified engineering and applied sciences company, is set to become the newest tenant of the Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL) at the Kennedy Space Center, according to Space Florida, the state’s aerospace development organization and spaceport authority.

Previous Record Held By Lunar Rover Driven By Gene Cernan And Harrison Schmitt

While Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt visited Earth's moon for three days in December 1972, they drove their mission's Lunar Roving Vehicle 19.3 nautical miles. That was the farthest total distance for any NASA vehicle driving on a world other than Earth ... until Thursday.

Helo Originally Configured For Offshore Oil Transport Missions

Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) has been tapped to perform the first post-delivery Search and Rescue (SAR) modifications to Brunei Shell's Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. Originally configured for offshore oil missions, the aircraft will undergo a comprehensive conversion to a SAR configuration to serve customers in Borneo and the surrounding Southeast Asia region.

Certificate Held By Precision Conversions Of Portland, OR

The FAA has granted an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate #ST02278SE) to Portland, OR,-based Precision Conversions for its 757-200PCC Combi variant. The Combi configuration includes 10 full cargo positions and seating for 54 passengers along with full galley and lavatory facilities. This is also the first certified 757-200 Combi in the world to include winglets.